PALATKA, Fla. – A Palatka mother was arrested early Tuesday morning after deputies learned that she had left her child home alone with seven dogs while she took a multi-week vacation to Las Vegas, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
Jessica Copeland, 36, faces multiple felony charges, including child neglect without bodily harm and inflicting pain causing serious injury or death upon an animal, arrest reports show.
Authorities say the case began when a concerned family member requested a welfare check at Copeland’s home, located down a dirt road in Putnam County. Deputies initially found an adult at the residence who claimed everything was fine.
“That adult told the deputies, ‘Oh, yeah, I’m cleaning up. I can grab the teenager so you can see he’s being taken care of,’” Putnam County officials told News4JAX. “The child came outside, talked to deputies, and told them everything was fine. There were no issues.”
However, just hours later, another family member contacted deputies, this time providing video evidence of the neglect inside the home.
When deputies arrived at the scene, a home on Songbird Road in Palatka, they said they made contact with Copeland’s child, who was “in control of the residence.”
The child’s name is redacted throughout the report, indicating that he is a minor.
According to the sheriff’s office, the child said his mother left their home on July 21 to go to Las Vegas, and he was not given adequate resources to survive, which required him to “rely on others to bring him food.”
The arrest report also revealed that when law enforcement entered the Palatka home, there was “poop everywhere,” as well as multiple large, water-filled bowls that contained various insects.
“[The child] stated that [the home] has been that way for years,” deputies wrote. “He stated this is the way Jessica keeps the house and [she] refuses to clean.”
“They were in various stages of neglect,” officials said. “Some had nails that were probably three inches longer than they should be. The bigger dogs were more emaciated and had not been given food or water. Even when water was available, it was not clean.”
All dogs were taken to Putnam County Animal Control after Copeland released custody of them and they will be rehabilitated, the sheriff’s office tells News4JAX, adding that they will require veterinary care, grooming supplies, along with food and toys to help restore their health.
Authorities added that the teen is now safe.
Jessica Copeland remains in jail without bond. She faces multiple felony charges, including child neglect and animal cruelty.
Anyone interested in adopting the dogs are asked to contact Julianne Young at julianne.young@putnam-fl.gov