Florida Trio Charged After Police Find 3 Children And 245 Animals Living in 'Deplorable' Conditions

Three neglected children under the age of 10 were removed from a Florida home along with almost 250 animals after authorities found them living in "deplorable" conditions.

Officers were sent to the residence on Royal Palm Drive in Edgewater, Florida, for a well-being check on the three juveniles on Sunday night, the Edgewater Police Department said in a news release.

When they arrived, officers located the three children—aged eight, nine and 10—as well as 245 animals, including four dogs, two cats and a tortoise, that had been badly neglected.

The children were removed from the home by the Department of Children and Families and taken to stay with a responsible family member, the police department said.

The youngsters had been found living in the filthy home which had rotting food, animal faces and urine everywhere, police said.

The animals found at the property included 12 rabbits, four hamsters, 10 sugar gliders, 60 adult rats, 23 baby rats, a hedgehog, 14 birds and 10 guinea pigs, including one that was dead in a cage.

Officers also located two geckos, seven bearded dragons and 95 mice at the house. Images released by the Edgewater Police Department show cages strewn around the messy home and the animals in various forms of distress.

"It was immediately evident neither the children, nor the animals were being cared for properly," a spokesman for the Edgewater Police Department said.

"The residence was in deplorable living conditions. EPD Officers observed a dead guinea pig in a cage, rotting food, animal feces and urine throughout the residence."

Melissa Hamilton, 49, Greg Nelson 57, and Susan Nelson, 43, will be charged with three counts of child abuse and 66 counts of animal cruelty, police said.

Greg Nelson is in the custody of Edgewater Police. Hamilton's whereabouts are known to police, she is not currently in custody, police said.

Susan Nelson is in custody at the Volusia County Jail with no bond, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

Police and Edgewater Animal Control removed all the animals from the property and took them to the Edgewater Animal Shelter.

The shelter is in need of donations, which can be left at 605 Mango Tree Drive in Edgewater, according to police. The animal shelter has a list of the items, such as cat and dog food as well as other supplies, that it requires on its website.

The police department said it is also accepting donations, including toys and clothing, for the children. Monetary donations can be made to the Edgewater Police Volunteers Association in thee lobby of the police department at 135 East Park Avenue.