Vacationing mom leaves son and 7 dogs at home in vile conditions for 2 weeks with no food or running water

A 36-year-old Florida mom was jailed this week after leaving her teen son alone at home with seven dogs – all left to live in squalid conditions with no food or running water in the home – while she vacationed in Las Vegas for two weeks.  The neglectful mother, now in jail and facing felony charges, has been identified as Jessica Copeland, who along with her son and animals resides in a home on Songbird Lane in Palatka.

A call from a family member to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office concerning the welfare of that teenager and the seven dogs was the first in a series of events that led to Copeland’s arrest on Tuesday. 

On Monday evening, deputies received a phone call from an out-of-state family member requesting a welfare check on the teenager at the residence on Songbird Lane. An adult outside the residence told deputies he was “cleaning” before Jessica Copeland, 37, came home from a trip. The teenager came outside and told deputies there were no issues and everything was fine.

Deputies cleared the call and left the scene, believing they had no reason to enter the home.

Later, another family member who lives in Marion County called and said he had video of dogs being abused inside the home. The family member met with deputies and showed the video where three severely emaciated dogs could be seen. The family member also said he believed there was no running water in the house and no food.

None of the information given to the deputies was disclosed in the initial call. Deputies went back to the residence along with the sheriff’s office agriculture detective. Upon their return, the adult previously at the house had left.

The teenager allowed deputies to enter the home where they saw vile living conditions that included layers of animal feces on the floor, garbage and debris littered throughout – and several emaciated dogs without food and water. The teen told deputies that his mother had left two weeks prior on July 21 to go on vacation in Las Vegas – and that different people would come to the house to check on him and bring him food.

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When deputies checked on the dogs, there were a total of seven found in the residence. Two dogs were locked in a bedroom covered in about 4 inches of feces with no food or water. A third dog was in a cage with no food or water and was severely emaciated. Four more dogs were in the living room surrounded by feces and did not have adequate food or water. Water bowls were located in the room but they had insects floating.

When asked how long the conditions were this way, the teen responded “for years” because Copeland maintains it that way and refuses to clean.

“The depravity of this situation is both heartbreaking and infuriating,” Sheriff H.D. ‘Gator’ DeLoach said. “A mother made the conscious choice to abandon her own child in a filth-ridden home, surrounded by the stench of animal feces and suffering of neglected animals while she indulged on a two-week birthday trip to Las Vegas. This wasn’t neglect. This was deliberate cruelty, both to her child and to the animals she left behind.”

On the morning of August 5, while deputies were still at the residence assisting animal control with removal of the dogs, Copeland returned from her vacation.  Deputies report that she is now on “extended vacation” at the Putnam County Jail.

Copeland was charged with one count of child neglect, three counts of felony animal neglect and four counts of misdemeanor animal neglect. She is being held on $36,000 bond.

“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 Putnam County Animal Services and upon rehabilitation, will be available for adoption. With the influx of animals plus these additional seven, animal control is requesting linens, wet and dry dog, cat and kitten food, collars, leashes, treats and toys. For questions on donations please contact Deputy County Administrator Julianne Young at julianne.young@putnam-fl.gov

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(Source and images: Putnam County Sheriff’s Office)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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