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Case ID: 16289

Classification: Hanging

Animal: cat, dog (non pit-bull)

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Child or elder neglect

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Hoarding, child neglect - 12 cats, 1 dog
Pearl, MS (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Mar 30, 2010
County: Rankin

Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available

Alleged:
» Christopher Poe
» Carrie Poe

Authorities discovered two young children in Pearl living in a feces-filled home with nearly a dozen cats and one dog and removed them from their parents' custody on Tuesday.

"When I say the conditions were horrible, it was horrible. Not only should no children be living in that, but no adults should be in there, either," Pearl Police Chief Ben Schuler said.

Police arrested Christopher and Carrie Poe at the home on Shelton Street and charged each with two counts of child neglect.

Schuler said police were called after a neighbor spotted a toddler wandering in the street alone.

The responding officer "was able to find out where the child lived and took the child home," Schuler said. "The officer found that the living conditions of the home were not suitable for anyone."

Schuler, who went to the scene, described the home as disgusting.

"There was trash all over the floor. Animal feces and urine and roaches were all over the place. It had an extremely bad smell even before you entered the house," he said.

Schuler said animal feces were in the children's bedroom. He said the kids are under 12 years of age.

The state Department of Human Services took the children. Animal control collected the animals.

The case is reminiscent of that of Gerald and Paula Keyes of Pearl. The couple were arrested last spring after authorities discovered 31 dogs and cats and a toddler living amid unsanitary conditions. The couple pleaded no contest to multiple misdemeanors.

The city decided to demolish the house in mid-September, citing health concerns.

Pearl Mayor Brad Rogers said the Keyes' case prompted the city to tighten code enforcement ordinances.

"It's not right when one, two or three homes bring down an entire neighborhood," he said.

References

• - March 30, 2010

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