A rural McDowell County home on Cemetery Road has become the focus of a disturbing criminal case after deputies say they walked into a scene of severe neglect. A woman was found dead, an 11-year-old child and two adults with special needs were reportedly living without running water or indoor plumbing, and 16 dogs were crammed inside a house authorities describe as being in serious disrepair. County teams have since removed the animals, and the people who lived there have been placed with relatives while investigators try to untangle what happened.
Arrest And Charges
Fifty-eight-year-old Derrick Suppes was taken into custody on Monday and now faces a long list of charges. Those include two counts of misdemeanor attack by a dangerous dog, misdemeanor child abuse, felony abuse of a disabled person with injury and several counts of cruelty to animals. He was initially held under a $22,000 bond, which was later posted, and he is scheduled to appear in McDowell County court on April 13.
Inside The Cemetery Road Home
McDowell County deputies say they were called to the home on Cemetery Road on Wednesday for a report of a cardiac arrest. When they arrived, they found a woman who had died and other occupants living in what authorities describe as unsanitary conditions, as reported by WBTV. Deputies reported 16 dogs inside the house, some only a couple of weeks old, and said the interior was covered in feces and urine and lacked functioning indoor plumbing.
Property Records And County Response
Public property records list the dwelling at under 830 square feet, a tight space for that many people and animals. County parcel and tax information can be searched through McDowell County’s online tax portal. County animal control teams removed the dogs from the property and arranged placements for them, while the sheriff’s office and social services worked to place the human occupants with relatives.
Legal Next Steps
The mix of misdemeanor and felony charges against Suppes will be handled in McDowell County’s criminal courts. As reported by WBTV, he is scheduled to appear in court on April 13, and prosecutors are expected to decide how to proceed after reviewing the investigation and any arrest documents.
Animal Services And Community Resources
All animals removed from the property are currently in county custody, and McDowell County Animal Services oversees intake and the sheltering of stray or dangerous animals. Residents who have information related to this case or concerns about animal welfare can contact McDowell County Animal Services or the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office.
