An Ohio couple was arrested this week after investigators found them living in a filthy home tilled with multiple animals, feces, urine — and “old and dried out” human bones.
Billy Jack Park, 45, and Kristie Hatton, 41, were charged with multiple charges related to companion animal complaints., WOIO reported.
Park was arrested after Canton Police investigated a call of animal cruelty on Wednesday. They arrived at the home with a search warrant and assistance from the Canton Building Department, Health Department, Stark County Human Society, and the county and city prosecutors offices.
Park answered the door but tried to go back inside before officers placed him in custody, noting a horrible odor from inside. Police said they found hundreds of rats — some in cages and some roaming freely — three dogs, two birds, and two turtles inside the home, with feces, urine, dirt, garbage, general clutter and deceased animal remains.
They also found a box that contained animal remains and — confirmed on Thursday by the county coroner — human remains.
Stark County Coroner’s Office Chief Investigator Harry Campbell said that the human remains will be sent to the state crime lab or a forensic anthropologist for further information. He added that the bones were “quite old and dried out.”
The Stark County Humane Society has taken custody of the dogs and birds, director Jackie Godbey said. The turtle was handed over to Herps Alive Foundation.
Godbey said the situation at the home was a horrific hoarding situation.
“Having that many in cages, some roaming free, the dogs, the birds, the hoarding situation, it was bad,” Godbey said. “In my opinion, not livable. No animals or person should be in that condition.”
Health officials condemned the property, which was a rental. The owner will have to clean it up or demolish it.
Park and Hatton were arraigned on Friday and are due in court again on March 11. No charges have been filed in regards to the human remains.
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[Featured image: Billy Jack Park/WOIO and Kristie Hatton/Stark County Jail]