Sandra Teague, 58, faces three counts of child neglect after investigators say she abandoned her children at a hospital following a family dispute over a dog’s death, and detectives discovered deplorable conditions at the family’s Palm Coast home.
What brought deputies to the hospital
A 17-year-old boy walked into the AdventHealth Palm Coast emergency room and told staff he had been dropped off by his mother because she was upset with him. He was wearing socks but no shoes. He told staff that his two siblings — a 14-year-old and a 13-year-old — had also been abandoned. Deputies quickly located all three children.
The children told deputies that their mother, Sandra Teague, 58, of Palm Coast, had become extremely upset that morning after one of the family’s dogs died and had blamed the children for the dog’s death. They said Teague told them “this is the last straw,” drove them to the hospital, yelled at them to get out of the car, and drove away.
A pattern the children described
The children told deputies that while their mother had never dropped them somewhere like this before, she regularly locked them outside the house when she was upset — forcing them to sleep outside. They said this happened approximately every other day. The children described the hospital incident as different from her usual behavior only because of the death of the dog.
Conditions found at the home
Deputies located Teague at her residence and began investigating. During the investigation, detectives determined she was the primary caretaker for all three children. Deputies observed the front door area smelled strongly of garbage and found animal feces throughout the interior of the home, including on floors and walls. The Florida Department of Children and Families was notified and responded to the scene.
A subsequent search warrant of the home turned up 44 live dogs, three live pigs, one live cat, and one live snake inside the residence. Multiple deceased animals were also found in kennels on the property. All live animals were removed with the assistance of Palm Coast Animal Control.
Arrest and status
Teague was arrested on three counts of child neglect and transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where she is being held with no bond. The investigation is ongoing.
“Based on this investigation, she will never receive a mother of the year award. No child should ever have to live in these disgusting conditions or be treated like this.”
— Sheriff Rick Staly, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
“Not only does she not treat or care for her children properly, but she should never own or be a foster provider for helpless animals ever again.”
— Sheriff Rick Staly, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
The charges against Teague are allegations — no conviction has been established. Additional charges are considered likely as the investigation continues. More information about the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is available at flaglersheriff.com.
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