FAIRMONT, W.Va. — A Fairmont woman faces animal cruelty and neglect charges following an investigation by city police and child protective services.
July 9, members of the Fairmont Police Department assisted agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) with a search warrant at a home on Hunsaker Street in Fairmont.
Officers found multiple people inside the home and learned Shyann Thomas, 27, was on her way to the home.
While searching the residence police found a loaded shotgun and other unloaded guns within reach of two juveniles in the home.
In a dresser where the children stored clothes police said they found syringe needles, marijuana, and in another room police said they found a box of edibles.
Throughout the home police said they observed cockroaches and other bugs running throughout the house on the walls, in the drawers and next to food. The kitchen sink was also reportedly filled with moldy dishes as well.
Another investigation the same day by Marion County Animal Control uncovered malnourished dogs in a 7-foot by 4-foot area in the basement of the home that was covered in trash and feces.
Thomas has been charged with two counts of child neglect and one count of animal cruelty and is being held in North Central Regional Jail on a $100,000 bond.