Two women and a man are set to be charged with child abuse and animal cruelty after police found rotting food, animal feces and urine, plus a dead guinea pig in a Florida home where three juveniles and 245 animals were living.
Cops hold Melissa Hamilton, 49, Greg Nelson, 57, and Susan Nelson, 43, responsible for the disgraceful scene which was discovered when they carried out a welfare check on youngsters aged eight, nine and 10 on Sunday night.
Among the mess were four dogs, two cats, four hamsters, 12 rabbits, 14 birds and nine live guinea pigs – plus one that had passed away.
‘Upon arrival, officers not only located the three children, but also 245 animals of various species housed on the property,’ Edgewater Police said. ‘It was immediately evident neither the children, nor the animals were being cared for properly. The residence was in deplorable living conditions.
Cops discovered 245 animals at the home including two cats, four dogs 12 rabbits and 14 birds
The horrifying sights included a dead guinea pig in a cage among the 10 sugar gliders, seven bearded dragons, 95 mice plus 60 adult rats and 23 babies
Three children aged eight, nine and 10 were removed from a home in Florida on Sunday night. Feces are seen on top of blankets covering the floor
Cops said there was ‘rotting food’ at the home when they visited. Pictured is inside the fridge
‘EPD Officers observed a dead guinea pig in a cage, rotting food, animal feces and urine throughout the residence.’
The Edgewater property also housed 10 sugar gliders, seven bearded dragons, 95 mice plus 60 adult rats and 23 babies.
Images shared on the Edgewater Police Department page show numerous cages scattered around room after room in the home decorated with green plants and various trinkets.
Susan Nelson (pictured), 43, was in custody. Police said suspect Greg Nelson was in custody and Melissa Hamilton’s whereabouts are known, but she was not in police custody early on Monday morning
A video obtained by the Daytona Beach News Journal shows one locked up dog whinging and another black pooch that appeared to be underfed and losing hair, curled up on a dusty fitted sheet tossed on the wooden floor. Behind the animal is stray straw and a finished can of soda discarded in the heap.
In and among that is a flat screen television and boxes of food and beverages including cherry soda and vodka.
Pictures show that throughout the home the floor is soiled with gunk and one images shared by law enforcement shows feces on the blanketed floor of a bedroom containing a bunk with only one mattress that is dirty and distressed.
The top bunk is covered with clothing, toys and other apparatus.
Close-up shots of inside the fridge show the unhygienic conditions in which food is stored.
A tub of leafy greens, soup, condiments and a blended concoction are seen shared with food covered in plastic bags.
Plus it’s clear food that had fallen onto the floor of the refrigerator has not been cleaned away in a long time.
A door broken off a bathroom cabinet reveals barely any necessities are stocked away in the home where six people stayed but dental items, pant liners and unclean clothing are scattered around.
Cops said on Monday that the children were removed from the residence by the Department of Children and Families and were placed with a responsible family member.
Alongside Edgewater Animal Control police removed the animals and they were brought to the Edgewater Animal Shelter.
However the shelter is in need of donations which can be dropped off at 605 Mango Tree Drive in Edgewater.
They had raised approximately $3,330 by Monday.
‘As you may be aware the shelter has had a large influx of animals this evening. Many of these animals need medical care,’ the shelter posted on Facebook Sunday. ‘We also need towels, small animal bedding, cat litter, rabbit/guinea pig food, Purina kitten chow … glass aquariums, water bottles for cages (rabbit and guinea pig).’
Cops also reported urine throughout the residence which is pictured from an angle that show cherry soda boxes and other containers littered around plants and a flat screen TV
Ladies’s sanitary items are seen inside the cabinet where a door is broken off as well as on the grubby floor
The shelter added they were also in need of cleaning supplies such as laundry detergent, bleach and vinegar.
‘Any and all help at this point is appreciated,’ they continued.
Susan Nelson was pictured in a police mugshot.
Police said suspect Greg Nelson was in EPD custody and Melissa Hamilton’s whereabouts are known, but she was not in police custody early on Monday morning.
They will be charged with three counts of child abuse and 66 counts of animal cruelty.
Edgewater Police were carrying out a welfare check on the children when they found the state