Hoarding, child neglect - two dogs found dead
Mableton, GA (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Sep 9, 2010
County: Cobb

Charges: Misdemeanor, Felony Non-CTA
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» Christian Noel Swanson
» Ruth Elizabeth Swanson

In Cobb County, police charged a man and woman with felony child cruelty after discovering dead dogs, feces, garbage, mold and insects infesting their home Sept. 9.

An anonymous tip from a concerned neighbor led police to the Mableton home of 27-year-old Christian Swanson and 31-year-old Ruth Swanson. They face two counts each of felony child cruelty and cruelty to animals, according to jail records.

Officers found maggots, half-eaten food and two decomposing dogs in two bedrooms near where two young children routinely play, according to arrest warrants. The dogs appeared to have been dead for several months, officers said.

"Inside the sink and restroom area insect larva was found," the warrants state. "The refrigerator was full of old, expired and inedible food. Feces were found inside the bathing area."

The children, two girls, have been placed in protective custody. A phone number listed for Christian Swanson was disconnected Wednesday.

The Swansons were arrested Sept. 9 and released several hours later on $50,000 bond each, according to jail records.

References

• - Sept 16, 2010 « GA State Animal Cruelty Map
  « More cases in Cobb County, GA

  Note: Classifications and other fields should not be used to determine what specific charges the suspect is facing or was convicted of - they are for research and statistical purposes only. The case report and subsequent updates outline the specific charges. Charges referenced in the original case report may be modified throughout the course of the investigation or trial, so case updates, when available, should always be considered the most accurate reflection of charges.
  
  For more information regarding classifications and usage of this database, please visit the database notes and disclaimer.