Deputies dug through a Florida woman's backyard to rescue two kittens she allegedly buried alive. The suspect reportedly told officers she believed demons possessed the pets.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Children Were Trying To Protect the Kittens From the Suspect
As PEOPLE reports, Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek explained at an Oct. 9 news conference that the three children living at the Hobe Sound Mobile Home Park residence called 911 on Thursday, Oct. 8, after the kittens they were trying to protect from 37-year-old Alba Chavez disappeared.
The kids told investigators that Chavez had allegedly killed two kittens earlier in the week. She then tossed their bodies in the trash and buried them in the backyard.
Concerned for the other kittens, the children locked them away in a bedroom before leaving for dinner, according to an arrest affidavit. When they returned home around 6 p.m., the bedroom door appeared to have been forced open. The kittens were missing.
Chavez Said She Believed the Animals Were Demons
When police questioned Chavez, she allegedly said she believed the kittens were demons. She did not want black or brown cats in her home.
"If you want the cats, you will need gloves, a red bag and a shovel," Chavez allegedly told investigators.
She showed the officers the area of the backyard where she buried the kittens, and they began excavating in the heavy rain and lightning.
"As they were digging, they could hear cries from the kittens," Budensiek said.
Two kittens were discovered alive, buried underground inside plastic grocery bags. Officers also found the bodies of two kittens they believed were killed earlier in the week.
Despite an extensive search of the property, a fifth kitten was still missing as of Oct. 9.
The surviving kittens are believed to be around three weeks old. They were rushed to an emergency veterinary facility and treated for weakness and dehydration.
A vet told investigators that it was too early to tell if oxygen deprivation caused any brain damage or other complications. The kittens were taken to foster care on Monday, Oct. 12, and they are expected to be up for adoption at some point.
Investigators said that during questioning, Chavez began singing. She was arrested and charged with four felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty. Police had not determined whether mental health issues played a role in the alleged cruelty.
The three children were placed in their father's care.
