Woman Charged After Teen and Pets Found in Filthy Conditions in Ocean County

Woman Charged After Teen and Pets Found
in Filthy Conditions in Ocean County

After authorities discovered a woman, a teenager, and multiple animals living in a Toms River home in incredibly unhygienic conditions, the woman was charged with child endangerment and animal cruelty, according to the police.

According to Toms River Lt. Ron Sermarini, the 49-year-old woman was taken into custody on Tuesday after an investigation that started with an anonymous tip via a state agency on February 5.

After receiving the tip, authorities executed a search warrant at a residence on Paul Drive on Tuesday and discovered the woman residing there with dogs, cats, and a 16-year-old child, he said.

The utilities were turned off, and there was a lot of feces on the floors, but the police couldn't tell how long they had been turned off.

Sermarini said that although it is thought that there may be up to three more cats on the property, the conditions in the house made it impossible for them to locate the others, so traps were set. Two cats and two dogs were rescued.

According to him, the situation was so dire that the animal control officer who arrived had to don a hazmat suit before entering.

Also per Sermarini, the unhygienic conditions in the house led Toms River Township code enforcement to declare it uninhabitable.

Because the teen was living in filthy conditions, Casatelli was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, he said.