Animal Control officials were also dispatched to the suspect’s home in Gray Court, a small community 26 miles from Greenville, after sheriff’s deputies found 88 animals on the property, with the vast majority of them already dead.
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Deputies arrived to find the boy unresponsive with bruises on his face, neck, back and other areas, according to Lt. Scott Franklin. She initially told police that the boy choked while eating chips, but later said she dropped the boy. A report says doctors said the toddler might have been dropped, as Morgan claimed, but that alone could not have produced all of the child’s injuries.
Morgan was charged with child abuse, child neglect and animal cruelty. Two other children ages one and two were removed from the home which was soiled in animal feces, garbage and dead and live animals. The roughly 90 animals found inside of the double-wide trailer included cats, dogs, rodents, and even tarantulas.
Morgan’s other children have been placed in the custody of the state Department of Social Services (DSS).
Animal feces was found all over the home along with trash and unsafe living conditions.
Two of the surviving dogs were taken to the Laurens County Animal Shelter.
Authorities say the 25-year-old Morgan physically abused the boy, causing him to suffer bleeding in the brain.
Franklin said the rural home was the worst condition he had ever seen.
She said Morgan called 911 when her child would not respond.
Laurens County Sheriff Ricky Chastain said it is “a very sad situation”. Morgan is also 8 months pregnant. She would also be barred from owning any pets until her case is resolved.
Stiles said the mother of the children has been arrested on several charges but the father of the children has not been arrested on charges at this time, but there may be more possible charges upcoming.
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The judge was told that the toddler is “looking at a major road to recovery”, but was more responsive Wednesday than Tuesday night.
