8-Month-Old Baby Found in ‘Horrific Situation’ in Home Filled with Rotting Goat Carcass, Waste and 47 Animals

The Honea Path Police Department discovered the ‘unsanitary’ situation at a South Carolina home on May 19

Kayla Renard and Nicholas Foley were arrested on Monday, May 19, after police allegedly found their South Carolina home “infested with numerous animals”
Chief Christopher Miller said the parents had “no emotion” when their 8-month-old infant was taken away amid the police investigation, per Fox Carolina
Among the discoveries in the home were at least 47 animals and a “decomposing goat carcass in the bathtub”

A couple in South Carolina has been arrested after police allegedly discovered their baby was being raised among over 40 unkept animals and waste, including a decomposing goat.

On Monday, May 19, police responded to concerns from the Department of Social Services that parents Kayla Renard and Nicholas Foley had their 8-month-old infant living in an “unsafe environment,” according to a Honea Path Police Department news release shared on Facebook.

The infant was then placed with a relative after police “uncovered severe unsafe and unsanitary conditions” in the home.

“Officers found the residence infested with numerous animals, including raccoons, rabbits, dogs, cats, chickens and deceased animals,” per the news release. “Animal feces and waste are throughout the residence.”

Police added, “In my 30-plus years of service, I have never encountered such a horrific situation involving unsanitary conditions and such a large number of animals.”

The police didn’t disclose how many dead animals were found inside the home, but said a rotting goat was located in the bathtub. They contacted Dr. Kim Sanders from PAWS for assistance due to the “alarming” situation.

“The child is OK. The child was in pretty good condition for the unsanitary conditions of the house, Chief Christopher Miller said, per WJCL.

Kayla Renard and Nicholas Foley were charged with unlawful conduct toward a child and ill treatment of animals, and violations of town ordinances.

Miller told Fox Carolina that the parents didn’t demonstrate any emotion when they were arrested.

“Sitting there calm and really no emotion. No facial expressions,” Miller said, according to Fox Carolina. “You would think that they’d be a little upset that someone was taking their eight-month-old baby, that the police were there and discovered the horrific conditions of this house. You would think that they would have to know that they were in trouble.”

Renard and Foley were both given $10,000 surety bonds, according to the outlet. Foley posted bond on Tuesday.

Dr. Kim Sanders, the Director for Anderson County PAWS shared with PEOPLE that there were 41 live animals found in the home — 25 dogs, three cats, five raccoons, six chickens and two rabbits — which were removed by the organization.

Six deceased animals were also found on the property, including a dead baby goat found in a Tupperware bin in the kitchen. Sanders shared that the animals were “severely dehydrated, covered in feces and the majority of them were extremely emaciated.”

Calling the smell in the home “overwhelming,” the PAWS representative added that “the ammonia burned our eyes.”

“The home was unfit for any living creature let alone an 8-month-old baby girl,” Sanders said. “All of the animals are undergoing medical care and are expected to recover at this time. The emotional trauma they sustained will be a bigger challenge to overcome.”

PEOPLE has reached out to the Honea Police Department for updates on the situation.

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