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A woman from Florida has been arrested for leaving her teenager and seven dogs in unsanitary conditions while she went on a two-week vacation to Las Vegas, as reported by the police.
Jessica Copeland, 37, was taken into custody by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office on charges of neglecting both her child and animals after concerned family members reached out to the authorities.
The incident was brought to light when a family member from out of state contacted Putnam County deputies on Monday to request a welfare check on a teenager in Palatka, Florida, the agency stated.
Upon arrival at the residence, deputies encountered an adult outside who claimed to be “cleaning” before Copeland’s return. The teenager then assured the deputies that everything was fine, prompting them to leave.
Jessica Copeland, 37, was arrested after leaving seven dogs and a teenager home alone for two weeks while she went on vacation to Las Vegas, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. (Putnam County Sheriff’s Office)
Another family member contacted the sheriff’s office the same day to report video evidence of dogs being mistreated inside the home. The video revealed three severely emaciated dogs, according to the PCSO.
This family member also disclosed to deputies that there was no food or running water in the house, information that was not provided during the initial call.
Upon returning to the residence with the PCSO’s agriculture detective, deputies were granted entry by the teenager, as the adult who was present before had left.
Inside the home, deputies discovered deplorable living conditions, including layers of animal waste, trash, and debris throughout the premises, along with multiple undernourished dogs without access to food or water.
The teenager informed law enforcement that Copeland departed for Las Vegas on July 21, with different individuals intermittently checking on him and delivering food, as per the agency.
The teenager’s age was not disclosed.
Copeland’s son told law enforcement that the house had been in its current condition for years because her mom refused to clean it. (Putnam County Sheriff’s Office)
“Two dogs were locked in a bedroom covered in about 4 inches of feces with no food or water. A third dog was in a cage with no food or water and was severely emaciated. Four more dogs were in the living room surrounded by feces and did not have adequate food or water,” the sheriff’s office stated, noting the presence of water bowls in the living room contaminated with insects.
The teenager disclosed that the home had been in this state for years due to Copeland’s refusal to clean it.
Putnam County Sheriff H.D. DeLoach expressed dismay and anger over the situation.
“A mother consciously chose to abandon her child in a filthy home, amidst the smell of animal waste and the suffering of neglected animals while she enjoyed a two-week birthday trip to Las Vegas,” he remarked. “This was not neglect. This was deliberate cruelty, towards both her child and the animals left behind.”
Deputies were at the residence on Tuesday morning to assist animal control in removing the dogs when Copeland returned and was promptly arrested.
Law enforcement removed seven dogs from the home belonging to Copeland. (Putnam County Sheriff’s Office)
Bodycam footage released by the agency depicted Copeland’s compliance when informed of the deplorable conditions in her home and the near-starvation of her animals. She was promptly detained and taken into custody.
“She is now on an extended ‘vacation’ at the Putnam County Jail,” the sheriff’s office quipped.
Charges against Copeland include one count of child neglect, three counts of felony animal neglect, and four counts of misdemeanor animal neglect, with a bond set at $36,000.
“Let me be clear, our community will not tolerate such blatant disregard for human and animal life. She now has time to reflect,” DeLoach emphasized.
The dogs were voluntarily surrendered to the county and will be put up for adoption once they have been rehabilitated.
