Authorities in Wagoner say a 38-year-old woman is facing felony charges after officers discovered her elderly mother dead and severely decomposed inside a home crowded with dozens of dogs. Investigators described the scene as so extreme that the victim's remains were compared to an "ancient mummy," with roughly 20 dogs living amid heavy accumulations of waste. The defendant, Shannon Solomon-Webb, is now charged in connection with what police are calling a shocking case of neglect.
Solomon-Webb was arrested on April 9 after the victim's husband called 911, reportedly long after the woman had died, according to the Tampa Free Press. Police say about 20 dogs were found inside the house and are currently being held as evidence while the department seeks legal authority to take permanent possession so the animals can eventually be put up for adoption. Solomon-Webb has since been released on bail and is due back in court on May 6.
Wagoner Police Lt. Det. Clarence Collins told reporters the woman's body was "so decomposed that she was - it was like seeing the mummy from ancient, an ancient mummy," describing the discovery as emotionally jarring, the Tampa Free Press reports. The medical examiner estimated the woman had been dead for at least a week, though investigators said the true timeline may be longer. Officers at the scene reported rooms filled with animal waste and said food was being left directly on the victim's bed.
Care And Conditions Described In Court Documents
Court filings state that Solomon-Webb told investigators she and her mother had argued about moving the older woman into a care facility, and that she tried to honor her mother's wish to remain at home. Documents note that the victim was living with lupus and respiratory issues and allege that caregivers left her with only a microwave and ready-to-eat meals placed on her bed. City records also indicate that Solomon-Webb had previously worked for the city as a dispatcher; meeting minutes dated March 6, 2023 list her hiring by the Wagoner Police Department, according to the City of Wagoner.
Legal Status And Next Steps
According to court documents, Solomon-Webb is facing felony charges that include caretaker abuse, desecration of a human corpse and animal cruelty. Her husband was also taken into custody, although officials say his case falls under the jurisdiction of the Cherokee Nation. Wagoner police say their investigation is ongoing and that they will continue working with animal control on the future of the dogs while the criminal case moves through the county courts.
