- Maryland, USA -
An investigation into a child abuse case led to animal cruelty charges filed against 28-years-old AUSTIN LEE TIPPETT (pictured below) and 31-years-old HEATHER AMANDA TIPPETT.
Southern Maryland News reports that on October 5, Child Protective Services received a referral about a 5-year-old boy who had gone to school with his bottom lip split open. It is alleged that AUSTIN LEE TIPPETT had hit the child with a closed fist.
Child Protective Services and police then went to a home in the 28400 block of Lockes Hill Road in Mechanicsville.
Southern Maryland News reports that according to a statement filed by St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Office Corporal Taylore Nauman, officials on the scene were hit with a “foul smell”, and inside the property, the smell was “horrific”, and living conditions were “deplorable.”
In addition to four children living in the house, aged 2, 5, 9, and 11, the couple also had several animals who were being kept in disgraceful condition.
Police reported that dirt and animal feces were immersed on the floors and flies were “all over the house.”
In one of the bedrooms officials found nine dogs inside crates.
A Great Pyrenees and six 1-week-old puppies were found inside a whelping box. The poor furbabies didn’t have enough room to move around.
In another bedroom were twenty more dogs while outside the home authorities found a Potbelly pig and two piglets who had no water.
All the animals were underweight. They were removed and taken to the Tri-County Animal Shelter.
The duo each face thirty-four animal cruelty charges.
The female is additionally charged with four counts of child neglect and was issued a summons on October 28.
The male is additionally charged with two counts of felony child abuse and two counts each of misdemeanor assault and child neglect and was held without bond on October 29.
It is alleged that AUSTIN LEE TIPPETT’s mother, Christine Gilroy, was aware that her son would beat the children and she allegedly said: “It’s been like this for years.”
Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Link included.
Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.
This is the epitome of a family from Hell. Everyone in that family knew abuse of all innocence was being dealt daily but did nothing. The proverbial apple/tree phrase appears to define this group of monsters. Punishment of all who knew of this abuse is the only remedy. Children & animals are not assets, they are gifts dependent upon proper love & care from their care takers. Get better innocent souls.