A woman from Florida is in custody after reportedly leaving her teenager and seven dogs in “horrible living conditions” to enjoy a two-week trip to Las Vegas, as stated by the authorities.
Jessica Copeland, aged 37, was apprehended by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday. She faces charges of neglecting both a child and animals following concerns raised by her family about the well-being of the teen and dogs.
The Sheriff’s Office disclosed that an out-of-state relative first reached out on Monday, prompting them to perform a welfare check on a teenager residing in Palatka, Florida.
Upon deputies’ arrival at the residence, they met an adult who claimed to be “cleaning” before Copeland’s return. The teenager assured the officers that “everything was fine” and there were no problems, prompting them to leave.
However, when deputies revisited the house on Tuesday morning, this time assisting animal control in removing the dogs, Copeland came back home and was promptly arrested.
Law enforcement removed seven dogs from the home belonging to Copeland. (Putnam County Sheriff’s Office)
The sheriff’s office released body camera footage where Copeland did not resist as they briefed her about the “appalling” state of her home, with animals nearly starved. She was then handcuffed and detained.
“She is now on extended vacation at the Putnam County Jail,” the sheriff’s office said.
Her charges include one count of child neglect, three counts of felony animal neglect and four counts of misdemeanor animal neglect, and her bond is set at $36,000.
“Let me be clear, our community will not tolerate this level of selfish disregard for human and animal life. She now has time for reflection,” DeLoach said.
The dogs were voluntarily surrendered to the county and will be up for adoption once they are rehabilitated.
