CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. – Two children and thirteen animals have been removed from a home in deplorable condition in Beverly Hills, Citrus County, Florida. A man and woman have been charged.
On Wednesday, July 12, 2023, deputies with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to a complaint from Code Enforcement, who was working a case referencing junkyard conditions at a residence in Beverly Hills due to the accumulation of junk and garbage outside the house.
Upon arrival, deputies made contact with residents Michael Clayton Howey, 36, and Brenda Darla Howey, 37, who advised that they resided in the home with two children, ten dogs, and three cats.
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Upon entering the home, deputies noticed a potent smell of ammonia and items scattered over the floor. During the walk-through of the residence, responding units noted dried feces covering multiple areas throughout the house, including a sizable amount of dried feces inside the laundry room, which was also cluttered with debris.
Two children were observed to have feces stuck to the bottom of their feet and between their toes. Deputies had to catch themselves from slipping and falling from the wet urine on the floor of the home, noting in the affidavit that the entire house had garbage all over and that the house appeared to have not been cleaned in some time.
“It is sickening to me that there are so many irresponsible people out there who are not providing safe living conditions for their children or their pets,’ said Sheriff Mike Prendergast. “No human or animal should be subjected to live in the abhorrent conditions as seen in this case, and thanks to the great teamwork by our animal control unit and code enforcement, these victims won’t be subjected to this neglectful environment again.”
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The two children were removed from the home and placed with family friends, while the animals were transported to the Citrus County Animal Shelter.
Both Michael and Brenda Howey were arrested on thirteen counts of animal cruelty and were transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility, where they will each be held on a total bond of $13,000 per the bond schedule.
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