The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office in Florida arrested Jeffrey O'Neil and Jennifer Kovacs on Sunday at their Lee Street home and charged the couple with animal cruelty and child abuse. The couple had reported their 16-month-old child missing. When authorities arrived at their home, hundreds of animals were discovered living in horrible conditions.
According to WTSP.com, O'Neil,28 and Kovacs, 26 stated their child had crawled out of the crib, opened the front door and left the home. Authorities later discovered a relative had taken the child because the baby had been crying and the relative was unable to awaken either of the parents.
Authorities allege the couple were under the influence of alcohol.
Living in deplorable conditions were 300 snakes including Burmese pythons and bearded dragons, lizards, rats, mice, birds, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, squirrels, gerbils, and a hedgehog. They have been accused of breeding and selling the animals without a license. Several dead animals were also discovered.
The animals are being removed by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in the Pinellas County area.
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