South Carolina parents abandoned their 17-year-old daughter in a home filled with dozens of cats, both living and dead, as they embarked on a vacation to Florida.
At a Glance
- Alicia and Justin Capps left their teenage daughter alone in a squalid home in Union, South Carolina, while they went to Florida
- Police discovered 39 living cats, 3 dogs, multiple dead cats inside the home, and 20 more deceased cats in a non-functioning freezer
- The home was filled with animal feces throughout, creating unsafe and unsanitary living conditions
- Both parents face charges of unlawful neglect of a child and three counts of ill treatment of animals
- The couple was issued a $25,000 bond each following their arrest
Discovery of Neglect
On May 27, officers from the Union Police Department responded to a concerning call that led them to a residence on Park Drive in Union, South Carolina. Upon arrival, they encountered a 17-year-old girl living alone in the home. After speaking with her mother over the phone, the teenager permitted officers to enter the premises. What authorities discovered inside revealed a disturbing case of both child and animal neglect that has shocked the local community and drawn attention to issues of parental responsibility and animal welfare in the state.
Law enforcement officials, accompanied by animal control, documented horrific living conditions that no child or animal should endure. The home contained three living dogs and 39 living cats, all apparently neglected. Officers also found several dead cats scattered throughout the interior of the home. Animal feces covered the floors throughout the residence, creating an environment that was not only unsanitary but potentially hazardous to the health of both the teenage girl and the surviving animals.
Extent of Animal Cruelty
The situation became even more disturbing when investigators continued their search of the property. Outside the main residence, officers located a non-functioning freezer that contained approximately 20 additional deceased cats. This discovery elevated the case from simple neglect to one involving significant animal cruelty. The sheer number of animals, both living and deceased, suggests this situation had been deteriorating over an extended period, raising questions about how such conditions could have gone unreported for so long.
Authorities have not released information about the current condition of the surviving animals or whether they required immediate veterinary attention. Animal control took custody of all living animals found on the property. The circumstances suggest the animals had been neglected for some time, raising concerns about possible patterns of animal hoarding or chronic neglect that may have preceded the parents’ departure for their Florida vacation.
Parents’ Charges and Legal Consequences
Following their investigation, Union police identified and charged the parents, 41-year-old Alicia Marie Capps and 34-year-old Justin Bowen Capps. The couple now faces serious legal consequences for their actions. Each parent has been charged with one count of unlawful neglect of a child and three counts of ill treatment of animals. These charges reflect the dual nature of the case, addressing both the abandonment of their minor daughter and the severe neglect of numerous animals in their care.
Court records indicate that both Alicia and Justin Capps were assigned a bond of $25,000 each. The substantial bond amount reflects the severity of the charges and the potential risks associated with the case. The legal process is now underway, with the parents facing potential jail time and fines if convicted. Child protective services have presumably become involved to determine appropriate arrangements for the 17-year-old victim, though authorities have not publicly disclosed her current living situation or welfare status.
