Florida Woman Buried Kittens Alive, Believing They Were ‘Demonic’: Police

A woman in Florida has been arrested for allegedly committing acts of severe animal cruelty after deputies discovered two kittens buried alive in her backyard. The incident, which has drawn widespread attention, unfolded in Hobe Sound and has raised significant concerns about animal welfare.

Alba Chavez, 37, was taken into custody on October 8, facing four felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies found two living kittens and two deceased ones outside her home, prompting allegations of a horrific incident involving the animals.

The disturbing events leading to Chavez’s arrest began when three children residing at the property made efforts to protect the kittens from her. The children reportedly locked them in a bedroom before leaving for dinner on the evening of the incident. Upon returning, they discovered that the door had been forced open and the kittens were missing.

According to Sheriff John Budensiek, the children contacted the police out of concern for the remaining kittens. They informed investigators that earlier in the week, Chavez had allegedly killed two kittens, disposed of their bodies in the rubbish, and subsequently buried them in the backyard.

When deputies arrived, Chavez allegedly expressed her belief that the kittens were possessed by demons and indicated a preference against having black or brown cats in her home. In a chilling statement, she reportedly told investigators, “If you want the cats, you will need gloves, a red bag and a shovel,” directing them to an area in the backyard.

Despite adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain and lightning, deputies began to excavate the ground. As they worked, they could hear the faint cries of the surviving kittens. Eventually, they were able to locate two kittens alive and still wrapped in plastic bags, while also uncovering the bodies of two deceased kittens from earlier on.

The surviving kittens, estimated to be around three weeks old, were swiftly taken to a veterinary emergency facility for treatment. They were found to be weak and dehydrated; however, it was too early to determine if any potential long-term damage had occurred due to a lack of oxygen. Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased kittens were slated for necropsies to ascertain the causes of their deaths.

Although there has been an encouraging update, as both of the surviving kittens have begun their recovery in foster care, the search for a fifth kitten is ongoing. As of October 9, that kitten remains missing, further intensifying concerns related to the incident.

Investigators have noted that during questioning, Chavez described the kittens in derogatory terms, reportedly labelling them as “very ugly” and expressing her disdain for cats of specific colours. She also displayed what appeared to be a lack of coherence, leading investigators to wonder whether mental health issues may have played a role in the reported cruelty.

Sheriff Budensiek commended the three children for their bravery, stating that their actions in calling 911 directly contributed to the rescue of the surviving kittens. Following the incident, the children have been placed in their father’s care, while eight other adult cats found at the residence were reported to be unharmed.

The legal proceedings against Chavez remain ongoing, with authorities considering the possibility of additional charges should the missing kitten be found deceased. At present, it is unclear if Chavez has entered a plea or secured legal representation.

This alarming case highlights the need for vigilance regarding animal welfare and raises broader questions about mental health and its impact on human treatment of animals. The local community continues to grapple with the ramifications of the incident, and animal rights advocates are calling for stricter measures to protect vulnerable pets.