Agents intervened in a Florida backyard to rescue two kittens after a local resident claimed they were possessed by demons, prompting her to bury them alive.
A 37-year-old woman, Alba Chávez, has been arrested and faces charges for four counts of aggravated animal cruelty following an investigation by the Martin County Sheriff's Office. During the probe, authorities discovered the remains of two kittens, as well as two additional deceased animals, that had been buried outside a residence in Hobe Sound.
Sheriff John Budensiek reported at a news conference that three children residing in the home had called 911 after discovering that the kittens they had attempted to safeguard from Chávez were missing.
According to statements made to investigators by the children, Chavez is alleged to have committed prior acts of animal cruelty involving two kittens, which were reportedly disposed of in the garbage before being buried in the backyard.
A sworn arrest statement, as cited by WFLX, alleges that children confined three kittens in a room out of concern for the safety of other animals.
Upon their return at approximately 6 p.m., the individuals found that the door to the room had been forcibly opened, and the kittens were no longer present.
During an interrogation at a Hobe Sound mobile home park, Chávez allegedly stated that he believed the kittens were demonic entities and expressed a preference for not having black or brown cats in his residence.
During questioning, Chavez allegedly provided investigators with a cryptic instruction, stating that individuals seeking cats would require specific items, including gloves, a red bag, and a sleeve.
Following his instructions, law enforcement officers proceeded to a designated area in the backyard, where excavation efforts commenced despite unfavorable weather conditions, characterized by heavy rain and lightning.
During the excavation process, Budensiek reported hearing the distinctive sound of kittens whistling.
Law enforcement officials discovered two live felines concealed in plastic bags beneath the surface, as well as the remains of two additional cats, which are suspected to have been victims of a prior incident.
Two kittens, approximately three weeks old, were promptly transported to a veterinary clinic for urgent care, where they received treatment for symptoms of weakness and dehydration.
A sworn statement obtained from the interrogation revealed that Chávez characterized the cats as unattractive and expressed a preference for excluding cats of specific colors from his residence. The researchers noted that Chávez eventually began singing instead of continuing to answer the questions posed to her.
Budensiek described the individual's reaction to the cats, stating that they were deemed demonic and ugly, and that the person did not want them in their home.
Following an intervention by the Florida Department of Children and Families, the three children were placed under their father's supervision. Additionally, an investigation revealed that eight adult cats residing in the home were in poor health.
