Police responded to concerns about an eight-month-old child living with parents Kayla Renard and Nicholas Foley, following a report from the Department of Social Services
A couple has been arrested after authorities allegedly discovered their infant living in squalid conditions among more than 40 neglected animals and animal waste — including a decomposing goat.
On Monday, May 19, police responded to a report from the Department of Social Services, which raised concerns about the welfare of an eight-month-old baby living with parents Kayla Renard and Nicholas Foley. According to a police news release posted on Facebook, officers found the child in an “unsafe environment” and immediately placed the infant into the care of a relative.
Inside the home, police uncovered disturbing conditions. The residence was overrun with animals – including raccoons, dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits – and contaminated with animal faeces and waste throughout. Deceased animals were also found on the property, including a decaying goat left in a bathtub.
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“In my 30-plus years of service, I have never encountered such a horrific situation involving unsanitary conditions and such a large number of animals,” said a police official of the home in in South Carolina.
Dr. Kim Sanders, director of Anderson County PAWS, was called to the scene due to the severity of the case. Sanders later confirmed that 41 live animals were removed, including 25 dogs, five raccoons, six chickens, three cats, and two rabbits.
Six dead animals were also found, including a baby goat stored in a Tupperware container in the kitchen.
Sanders described the animals as “severely dehydrated, covered in feces,” and said most were “extremely emaciated.” She added that the home’s smell was so overwhelming that “the ammonia burned our eyes.”
“The home was unfit for any living creature, let alone an eight-month-old baby girl,” Sanders said.
She noted that while the animals are receiving medical care and expected to physically recover, their emotional trauma will be harder to heal.
Despite the horrific scene, Police Chief Christopher Miller said the baby was doing well physically. However, he expressed shock at the parents’ demeanour during their arrest.
“They showed no emotion. No facial expressions,” Miller told Fox Carolina. “You’d expect some kind of reaction if your child was being taken away and police had discovered such horrific conditions.”
Renard and Foley were each charged with unlawful conduct toward a child, ill treatment of animals, and multiple town ordinance violations. Both were issued $10,000 surety bonds. Foley posted bond the following day.
