The victim, who was not identified, was living in a house filled with garbage, no working toilet and only one working sink on the opposite end of where she lived, investigators said.
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputies had to wear masks because of the overwhelming stench of urine and feces. They had to clear a path through piles of garbage to reach the woman’s bedroom.
Investigators saw rats, cockroaches, ants, spiders and mosquitoes as they went through the house.
Investigators found 10 dogs in the house. Some were skinny others emaciated. Two puppies were living in a plastic bin, which was filled two-inches deep with feces, officials said.
The five birds were loose in the house.
Investigators could not find any food or water in the house for the woman or the animals.
Animal services took the animals to various shelters.
The woman was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and an elder abuse hotline was told about the conditions.
Richard Goodwin, 65, is the caretaker for the bedridden woman, investigators said.
He was arrested and charged with abuse/neglect of the aged/disabled and two counts of animal cruelty, investigators said.
Goodwin was previously charged with abuse/neglect of the aged/disabled May, 6, 2018 against the same victim, investigators said.
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