A Charlotte County Sheriff's deputy this morning arrested a grandmother for child neglect of a 6-year-old grandson after finding their home in "absolute squalor."
"The worst I ever seen in 27 years of law enforcement," said CCSO Watch Commander Lt. Randy Horner.
CCSO received a call at 12:12 a.m. of a possibly burglary in progress at 22227 Bahama Ave. in Port Charlotte after two persons were seen climbing through a rear window with flashlights. Deputies found Erin M. Mahoney, 26, mother of the child, and a neighbor Paolo Guiseppe Mannino, 34, inside the home of Donna Jean Mahoney.
Deputies reported an immediate and overpowering smell of dog urine and feces with no running water. Every room wasprofoundly filthy, cluttered and smelled.
A large pit bull and a small chow were in the home along with dried dog excrement and urine on the floors of every room.
"Clothing was found next to or on top of excrement. I could not find any fresh foodstuff at all," deputies reported.
Police said several used syringes were in the home, including one in the bathroom within easy reach of anyone.
The boy's mother was slurring her words and defensive about deputies being in their home. She told deputies she was under the influence of bath salts.
Police say they asked Donna Mahoney where her grandson was and she said she had no idea. The mother said he was with a neighbor. Deputies went to the home and found the boy sleeping on a couch in the living room, fully clothed, wearing sneakers with dog excrement on the bottom of the soles.
DCF immediately removed the boy from her custody. Donna Mahoney was arrested for child neglect and jailed on $5,000 bond. Mannino was taken into custody on an outstanding probation violation warrant where he remains in jail on $550 bond. Animal Control was called to remove the two dogs.
