In a harrowing incident in Flint, Michigan, three local residents are facing multiple felony charges following the apparent discovery of two deceased dogs and two malnourished dogs in what authorities have described as “deplorable” living conditions. The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office reported that the situation also involved a nine-year-old boy living in the same home, prompting urgent intervention by law enforcement and Child Protective Services.
On March 3, officers arrested Charles Ashbaker (38), Kelly Walker (29), and Dougal Nelson Jr. (47) after responding to a call concerning alleged stolen property. According to law enforcement accounts, AT&T employees working in the area noticed a manhole cover had been lifted and discovered what they estimated to be about $30,000 worth of cut and stolen Wi-Fi cables. Deputies arriving on the scene at a residence on Mabel Avenue encountered an unsettling scene.
Sheriff Chris Swanson stated that deputies found a deceased dog in a cage outside the home, along with a living dog. Inside the residence, officers reportedly discovered further distressing conditions, including a deceased puppy in a pizza box and another puppy wandering in a state of severe emaciation. The house was described by authorities as lacking basic utilities such as electricity and being littered with rotten food, raising significant concerns about hygiene and safety.
Sheriff Swanson expressed dismay at the situation, emphasizing that those involved could have sought help before matters escalated. “These are individuals that at any point could have called 911 and said, ‘I cannot take care of my dogs. I cannot take care of this child,’” he remarked. The alleged actions have drawn condemnation from animal welfare advocates and the wider community, many of whom express profound concern about the impacts on both the animals and the child.
Ashbaker faces a range of charges, including alleged killing and torturing of animals, animal cruelty, fourth-degree child abuse, and multiple weapons-related offenses. Walker is similarly charged with alleged killing and torturing of animals and child abuse. Nelson Jr. faces allegations that include resisting arrest, drug possession, and possession of stolen property.
In the wake of this discovery, the two surviving dogs were rescued and are now under the care of local animal services, while authorities sought safety for the nine-year-old boy, who has been placed in protective custody.
The case has sparked broader debate in Flint about animal welfare and child safety, as community members voice outrage over the alleged neglect and abuse. The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is requesting that anyone with additional information about this case or similar situations contact them.
All three suspects are currently being held at the Genesee County Jail. The community continues to push for accountability in what they see as a grievous instance of alleged neglect, underscoring the need for vigilance in safeguarding vulnerable individuals and animals. The investigation is ongoing, as authorities work to determine the full scope of this distressing situation.