Docs: Indiana couple starved, abandoned their cats and dogs inside unheated home

EATON, Ind. — An Indiana couple has been arrested and charged after police found several cats and dogs starved and abandoned inside an unheated Delaware County home.

Ashlee Norton, 39, and Samuel Norton, 40, were arrested this week at a home on Chestnut Street in Eaton after police received reports of pets being abandoned inside. The couple now face felony animal cruelty charges, with Samuel also being charged with drug possession.

Eaton police crews executed a search warrant earlier this month at the Nortons’ home and discovered there was no heat, power or visible food or water. Several windows were reportedly broken and furniture was destroyed.

During the search, officers removed three dogs and two cats from the home. The pets were reportedly in “poor condition,” showing signs of severe neglect that included visible bones and starvation.

The Delaware County Department of Health then issued an order preventing anyone from coming onto the property due to the “severe conditions” inside. Indiana Michigan Power later confirmed the home had no heat or power despite recent freezing temperatures.

Police tracked down the Nelsons at their home Thursday and brought them in for questioning. The couple reportedly told officers they’d fallen on hard times and were aware the power was out in the house.

Court documents state the Nelsons had been staying at a home in Yorktown and that the couple claimed they’d been coming “every day or every other day” to care for the animals. However, they admitted sometimes they went three or more days before returning.

While searching the couple’s car and home, officers reportedly found several drug items including a bag of methamphetamine, a pill bottle full of Hydroxyzine and a “1 hitter” box full of a green leafy substance suspected to be marijuana.

Ashlee and Samuel were subsequently arrested and booked into the Delaware County Jail on the following charges:

Ashlee’s bail was set at $10,000 while Samuel’s was set at $15,500. An initial hearing has not yet been scheduled in either suspect’s case.

Online court records show that both suspects have a criminal history in Indiana, with both of them previously being charged with felony child neglect and meth possession. Ashlee has also previously been charged with an OWI in Blackford County.