2 Nevada women arrested for allegedly keeping 2 children and 34 dogs in basement

LEMMON VALLEY, Nev. (TCD) -- Two women stand accused of leaving two children and nearly three dozen dogs in deplorable living conditions in a basement.

According to a press release from the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, on Monday, Jan. 31, at approximately 7 a.m., deputies responded to a home on the 8800 block of Reservoir Street for a welfare check. At the scene, deputies learned the family they were called to investigate live in a 900-square-foot basement.

The Sheriff’s Office reports that deputies discovered two children, ages 7 and 9, living in a small bedroom in the basement with 18 dogs. The children suffered apparent dog bites and/or scratches on their bodies. The children reportedly slept on a deflated air mattress covered in dog feces.

In another bedroom, the children’s mother, 29-year-old Lindsay Arnold, was living with 15 dogs, the Sheriff’s Office says. A third party outside the incident reportedly lived in a third room with another dog.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, "The entire basement floor was covered with clothing, trash, and animal feces."

Arnold was arrested and charged with two felony counts of child abuse, neglect, or endangerment, the Sheriff’s Office says. Forty-six-year-old Christa Garcia, Arnold’s partner, was reportedly arrested and charged with two gross misdemeanor counts of child abuse, neglect, or endangerment.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the 34 dogs, which include various breeds and sizes from chihuahuas to large pit bull terriers, were rescued by the Washoe County Regional Animal Services. The Sheriff’s Office says Washoe County Regional Animal Services is handling the animal hoarding case.

MORE: