A disturbing incident in Flagler County has led to the arrest of a man after a toddler was found wandering alone in deplorable conditions. According to WESH, 44-year-old Ross Judy is facing charges of child and animal neglect after his 2-year-old son was discovered outside their residence, which was described as "unlivable."
After receiving multiple 911 calls, deputies arrived at the Palm Coast home to find the young child alone, with a concerned citizen explaining, "I found a little boy, wandering in the road," as reported by WESH. The situation within the home was dire, with the Flagler County Sheriff's Office detailing an environment covered in bugs, feces, and urine. Sheriff Rick Staly said, "It might as well be a landfill on the inside of the home." A large dog in poor condition was also found locked in a cage.
Further investigation by the authorities revealed the extent of the neglect. ABC News reported that beyond the general trash and feces, officials found "dangerous tools and garbage in the interior and exterior of the home," as well as signs of alcohol abuse. The house was littered with "several alcoholic beverage containers, bugs swimming in toilet water, and a sink piled high with several inches of cigarette ash to the point the sink was no longer visible." Witnesses had initially returned the child to the home, finding Judy intoxicated and passed out in his bed.
Judy's neglect extends beyond his child to the family pet. Deputies found an emaciated dog with a rotting ear wound and missing fur. The child was taken to a relative's home, while Judy was arrested for felony child neglect and animal abandonment, with a bond set at $4,000, as detailed by CBS12.
The incident has prompted ongoing investigations by the Florida Department of Children and Families, and Palm Coast Animal Control, the latter of which responded alongside deputies to the scene. The community played a key role, as the sheriff noted the importance of residents who "saw something and said something," allowing the authorities to intervene in this tragic situation.
