Orlando, FL – A 37-year-old Florida mother has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of child and animal neglect after allegedly leaving her teenager and seven dogs alone in filthy conditions while she vacationed for nearly two weeks in Las Vegas, authorities confirmed.
Teen Found Living Among Animal Feces and Garbage
According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a welfare check at a residence on Songbird Lane on Monday evening after a concerned family member reported neglect. The initial visit revealed little, as an adult told deputies the house was being cleaned in preparation for the homeowner’s return. The teen also said they were fine, prompting deputies to leave.
However, after another family member provided video evidence showing animal abuse, deputies returned with an agriculture detective and uncovered disturbing living conditions inside the home.
“Floors were covered in feces, garbage was strewn throughout the house, and seven dogs were found without clean water or food,” the department stated in an official release on their website.
Details of the Scene: “Deliberate Cruelty”
Inside the home, investigators found:
- Two dogs locked in a bedroom with four inches of feces on the floor
- One emaciated dog confined to a cage
- Four other dogs in the living room surrounded by filth
- Insect-infested water in bowls meant for the dogs
The teenager reported that the house had been in this condition for years, and that their mother, Jessica Copeland, had left on July 21 for Las Vegas. During her absence, other adults occasionally dropped by with food or checked in briefly.
Sheriff H.D. “Gator” DeLoach called the situation both “heartbreaking and infuriating.”
“This wasn’t neglect. This was deliberate cruelty, both to her child and to the animals she left behind,” DeLoach said in the official report.
Copeland Arrested Upon Return From Vegas
Copeland returned to the home on Tuesday, while deputies were still assisting animal control officers in removing the neglected dogs from the property. She was immediately taken into custody and booked at the Putnam County Jail, where she remains held on a $36,000 bond.
She faces the following charges:
- One count of child neglect
- Three counts of felony animal neglect
- Four counts of misdemeanor animal neglect
Dogs to Be Rehabilitated and Adopted
All seven dogs were surrendered to Putnam County Animal Services and are currently being rehabilitated. Once healthy, they will be made available for adoption.
To help care for the dogs, county officials are requesting donations of:
- Pet food
- Linens
- Collars and leashes
- Toys
Residents interested in helping can reach out to Deputy County Administrator Julianne Young at: julianne.young@putnam-fl.gov
Final Thoughts
The incident has reignited conversations about parental accountability, animal cruelty, and the systems in place for welfare checks. Authorities emphasize that while Copeland is in custody, the emotional trauma experienced by the child and animals will take much longer to heal.
How should the legal system handle extreme cases of child and animal neglect like this? Share your thoughts in the comments.
