**Warning: Photos are graphic and may be disturbing.**

INVERNESS, FL (352today.com) – Animal control officers from the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) say the smell of feces and ammonia hit them even before they stepped foot inside an Inverness home earlier this month.

Deputies and Animal Control Officers (ACO) say they went to a home on East Watson Street to investigate a case of animal cruelty and found deplorable conditions.

Deputies say they found multiple piles of garbage bags mixed with animal feces and urine inside the bathroom. Courtesy: CCSO
Deputies described the floor as spongy and caked with feces. Courtesy: CCSO

ACOs say they spoke with 23-year-old Chelsea St. Hilaire who told them there three dogs living on the enclosed patio and an additional three living inside her residence.

“Once ACOs and deputies entered the residence, they found multiple piles of garbage bags mixed with animal feces and urine inside the bathroom,” said the sheriff’s office in a news release posted on Facebook.

Deputies described the floor as “spongy and caked with feces.”

Deputies say multiple soiled diapers and empty liquor bottles were scattered throughout the bedroom. Courtesy: CCSO
Deputies say they removed two children from the home and further charges are pending. Courtesy: CCSO

The release goes on to say multiple soiled diapers and empty liquor bottles were scattered throughout the bedroom.

The sheriff’s office says there were stacks of dirty dishes and two buckets with mold growing inside of them in the kitchen.

CCSO says investigators found two children in the home, one of which they say was crawling on the ground.

“The condition of this home was so disgusting that deputies and ACOs could not take a single step without their boot touching urine, feces or both,” said Sheriff Mike Prendergast. “No child or animal should ever have to experience living conditions such as this.”

ACOs say multiple cats were found roaming inside the house and were able to come and go through windows.

They say there was little food and zero sources of water for any of the animals.

The sheriff’s office says they took the children into protective custody and removed a total of seven dogs from the home along with multiple cats.

CCSO says the animals were taken to the county shelter and cared for by the veterinarian. They say many had missing patches of fur due to fleas.

The sheriff’s office says the animals are now in the care of the county animal shelter. Courtesy: CCSO
There was little food and zero sources of Animal control officers say there was little food and no water for any of the animals. Courtesy: CCSO
ACOs say the dogs had fleas and most were missing fur due to the infestation. Courtesy: CCSO

The deputies arrested three people in connection to the case.

  • Chelsea St. Hilaire, 23
  • Robert Brooks, 23
  • Tina Maddox, 67

All three are charged with seven counts of animal cruelty. Deputies say additional charges are pending regarding the children.