TRUMANN, Ark (WREG) — An Arkansas mother was accused of endangering her child’s life in a filthy home with dozens of dead cats, according to Trumann Police.
Samantha Lyn Platz, 38, was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Minor and Aggravated Animal Cruelty.
Boddie Eugene Williams, 37 is charged with Possession of Meth or Cocaine and Aggravated Animal Cruelty.
Neighbors told NewsNation affiliate WREG they have complained to officials in Trumann numerous times about the appearance of the property on South Ozark Avenue.
“I called for the welfare check, but the animals were found because my sister said something,” said the sister of the victim.
A woman who we’re not identifying called Trumann Police on July 2 out of concern for the safety of her younger sister and worried about a man who started living here recently with their mother.
“He just appeared one day to install an air conditioner, and he never left,” said the woman.
Trumann Police found more than they expected when they interviewed the child.
“And so they came to talk to her, and as they were talking to her, she asked about the cats in the freezer, and so apparently there was a lot of cats in the freezer,” said the woman.
She says more than two dozen deceased cats were discovered, but some animals on the property were found, but in very poor condition and are being cared for.
The victim’s sister said their mother has always been a cat hoarder.
“This is the first about the dead cats. Apparently, she says she wanted to cremate them, but I don’t know where that was going,” said the woman.
Police said they also took a man and woman into custody in a shed at the rear of the house and charged them with possession of meth.
Trumann Code Enforcement has condemned the property.
“I didn’t know that the situation was as bad as it was, or I would have called someone,” said one neighbor.
The victim is now being cared for by her sister.
Platz and Williams are scheduled to appear in court next month. A public hearing will also be held next month, at which time the City of Trumann could decide to demolish the property.