Clarksburg woman arrested after police found three children, an elderly woman and dogs in the dirt

CLARKSBURG, W.Va (WDTV) – A Clarksburg woman was arrested Monday after police found three children, an elderly woman and dogs living in filthy conditions.

According to West Virginia State Police, Crystal Kelley has been charged with four counts of child neglect, one count of abuse or neglect of an incapacitated adult, three counts of cruelty to animals and one count of possession of a controlled substance.

When police responded to Kelley's Clarksburg home, insects flew out of the house as soon as the door was opened and landed on the officer, according to court documents. There was no running water in the apartment and the floor was covered in feces, police said.

The four teens at the home had dog feces on their feet and were covered in dirt, court documents say. There was dog urine throughout the house, including in closets that police said appeared to be used as “makeshift defecation areas.”

There was feces in the toilet, which wasn't working, and there was mold on the food in the apartment, court documents say. One of the three dogs had scratches on its head, there was no water for the dogs and they had to stay in the basement, where feces covered the floor, police said.

Kelley was found to be in possession of marijuana and told police she smoked methamphetamine in the 16-year-old juvenile's bedroom. According to police, there was also burnt foil and other drug paraphernalia in the teenager's bedroom. The marijuana was found in the living room, where two of the teens were sleeping on a couch and an armchair.

Kelley is currently being held at the North Central Regional Jail on a $25,000 bond.

Copyright 2024 WDTV. All rights reserved.