Three people have been detained after a toddler was found in a cage surrounded by more than 600 animals, a hundred cannabis plants and more than a dozen guns.
Henry County Sheriff Monte Belew identified 46-year-old T.J. Brown, 42-year-old Heather Scarbrough and 82-year-old Charles Brown as the suspects who were all arrested by deputies.
All three suspects have been charged with aggravated child abuse, aggravated animal cruelty, possession of firearm in commission of a felony, manufacturing of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and cruelty to animals. Brown was also charged with possession of a firearm, News Channel 5 reports.
Henry County Sheriff Monte Belew identified 46-year-old T.J. Brown, 42-year-old Heather Scarbrough and 82-year-old Charles Brown as the suspects who were all arrested by deputies
All three suspects have been charged with aggravated child abuse, aggravated animal cruelty, possession of firearm in commission of a felony, manufacturing of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and cruelty to animals. 82-year-old Charles Brown
On Thursday, deputies with the department raided the mobile-home that had several outbuildings.
Belew shared that the 18-month-old boy was found in a 4’x4′ cage in a living room. He added that the boy had only a few toys and did not even have a blanket.
‘Everything that child possessed or played with was in that kennel,’ Belew said.
Next to the cage were three buckets of mice, and just three feet away was a 10ft boa constrictor. Eight snakes were found inside the room, in total.
Belew shared that the 1.5-year-old boy was found in a 4×4 cage found in the living room in a living room. He added that the boy had only a few toys
The animals found at the home included: 86 chickens and roosters, 56 dogs, 10 rabbits, 4 parakeets, 3 cats, 8 snakes, one pheasant, 531 rodents, one gecko and three sugar gliders
‘With all of the law enforcement experience up here, it’s hard to find something that actually shocks us,’ he said. ‘I’ve never seen this before, and I can guarantee the gentlemen up here with me have never seen this before.’
Between 15-20 dogs were found running loose around the property and feces were found all over the place, Belew said. He described some parts of the home as not having any flooring at all. The sheriff said that the kitchen was ‘unlivable’.
Maggots and cockroaches were all over the house.
‘It’s a very rural part of the county, you’re not far from the state line. Dale Cemetery Road is not a very traveled road at all. Not much traffic on it whatsoever,’ Belew said. ‘They just wanted to live their life. We had to explain to them that there is a norm.’
Animal Rescue Corps assisted with the animal removal, with some being found dead
Containers where some of the animals were retrieved
Animal Rescue Corps assisted with the animal removal, with some being found dead.
The animals found at the home included: 86 chickens and roosters, 56 dogs, 10 rabbits, 4 parakeets, 3 cats, 8 snakes, one pheasant, 531 rodents, one gecko and three sugar gliders.
Also recovered from the home was 127 marijuana plants and 17 guns.
‘In our community children are treasured. They’re treasured very highly and the slightest allegation that one may be in danger causes a large number of people to spring into action. We’re going to investigate this and every allegation of child abuse extremely closely,’ said District Attorney Matt Stowe.
‘These things oftentimes can be hidden, especially when it’s in a remote or rural area. But even in an urban area, the truth is we never really know what our neighbors next door are doing. It’s important that this serves as a warning that if you see something out of place that you let someone know.’
Also recovered from the home was 127 marijuana plants and 17 guns