A Soddy-Daisy couple charged earlier this week with aggravated child abuse are now facing an additional 15 charges each for animal cruelty.
Officers first responded to the home of Staci Tallent, 31, and Dustin Tallent, 24, on the 100 block of Francis Street on an anonymous tip, according to court documents. There they met Staci Tallent and were escorted inside.
Upon entering, the report says, officers saw “the entire residence was covered in household trash, urine, and feces. Most areas were approx. 3 ft. in height.”
One child was found in a locked room with trash and feces and two more children were found in a separate room in similar conditions.
Officers also found eight turtles, four dogs, three cats, one rabbit, one python and a lizard, many of which were extremely thin. No food or water was present for any of the animals.