HOBE SOUND, Fla. (CBS12) — Deputies digging through a rain-soaked backyard in Martin County heard the cries of kittens buried up to 3 feet underground, leading to the rescue of two animals while two others were found dead, the sheriff revealed Friday.
During a news conference, Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek provided new details about the arrest of 36-year-old Alba Chavez, who is accused of killing two kittens and burying two others alive at a mobile home park in Hobe Sound.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies responded to the Hobe Sound Mobile Home Park on Thursday night after several minors inside the home called 911 to report that Chavez had allegedly killed two kittens Monday, placed them in the trash and later buried them in the backyard.
The children, who feared for the safety of three remaining kittens, attempted to protect them by locking them inside a bedroom before leaving for dinner Thursday night.
Budensiek said that when the children returned home, they discovered the bedroom door had been forced open and the kittens were missing.
The children then called law enforcement to report the incident.
When deputies arrived, Chavez was standing in the roadway and reportedly admitted to killing the two kittens.
While speaking with deputies, Chavez said she believed the kittens had demons, described them as ugly and said she did not want black or brown cats inside the home.
Chavez then led deputies to the backyard, where the kittens had allegedly been buried.
“She took them to the backyard where our deputies started digging frantically trying to recover what they believed to be three live kittens and two dead kittens,” Budensiek said.
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As deputies dug through the backyard, they heard cries coming from underground. Two kittens were recovered alive, while the two kittens Chavez allegedly killed Monday were found dead.
A fifth kitten remains missing despite repeated searches of the property.
Budensiek said the two surviving kittens were immediately taken to an emergency veterinary facility, where they were being treated for dehydration.
The sheriff said veterinarians were also concerned about possible injuries caused by a lack of oxygen while the kittens were buried. Despite being rescued, the kittens could still die from their injuries.
Chavez was arrested and charged with four counts of animal torture involving pain, serious injury or death, according to the sheriff’s office.
The four charges correspond to the two kittens found dead and the two rescued alive.
The sheriff said Chavez was being held without bond at the Martin County Jail and also had an immigration hold.
Investigators have not determined exactly how the first two kittens died.
The sheriff said Chavez initially cooperated with deputies and led them to the burial site but later stopped answering questions about how the animals were killed.
Authorities also have not determined her motive.
Budensiek said deputies had previously responded to calls involving Chavez’s mental health but had received no prior animal cruelty complaints at the residence.
Additional charges could be filed if the fifth kitten is found dead, according to the sheriff.
Following the incident, the Florida Department of Children and Families became involved, and the children were later released to their father, who lives locally.
Officials said resources were available to help the children cope with what happened.