MUNCIE, Ind. — The Delaware County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man living in a residence that they said "...was in a deplorable state that no one should inhabit".
Per the DCSO, deputies were called around 12:30 a.m. on Monday to the 7900 block of N Royerston Park Dr, regarding an eviction of tenants that were renting the property. There, they found 45-year-old Brian Privett and his child, a juvenile victim, living in the residence.
In court documents, DCSO detailed that the smell of urine could be smelled "...from 30 feet away outside and away from the residence". Reportedly, this was caused by the urine and feces of 30 different cats, as well as gallon jugs that Privett would urinate in and leave on the bedroom floor. DCSO also noted "there were flies, fleas and maggots on the garbage in multiple bags throughout the garage, porch, bedrooms and kitchen."
Privett and the juvenile victim were permitted to leave the property with five of their cats—but DCSO said they did not make arrangements to feed or give water to the remaining 25.
The following day, Privett and the juvenile victim were discovered at the Quality Inn Muncie around 1:45 p.m., police said. DCSO then arrested Privett, taking him to DCSO jail. He was charged with Neglect of a Dependent, a Level 6 felony, as well as Animal Cruelty, a Class A misdemeanor.
If convicted, Privett could face up to 2.5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.