Child, dog found in ‘hazardous’ Slaton home with squatters

LUBBOCK, Texas — Two women, Megan Nicole Beaudry, 28, and Holly Kay Smith, 48, were accused of child endangerment after a kid with special needs was found lying among debris in hazardous conditions inside a Slaton home occupied by squatters, according to court documents obtained by EverythingLubbock.com.

On Thursday, officers with the Slaton Police Department responded to the 2300 block of South 8th Street for a search warrant for squatters in the home. According to court records, an officer entered and found trash, debris, food scraps and animal feces on the floor.

Court documents said a dog was found in a dirty crate with feces inside, and no food or water. The amount of feces and urine in the crate indicated the dog was in there for a long time, court documents stated. The officer could clearly see the dog’s ribs and hipbones, court documents stated. As the officer continued to walk through the house, two adults were found sleeping on couches. Court records said a small special needs child was found lying in the doorway to a bedroom on debris, strewn blankets and electric cords.

The home had electricity but no running water. Court records said the sinks were full of clothing, bags and trash, leaving the officer to believe “there was no possible way to practice even basic hygiene in the residence.”

Court records said the officer found a meth pipe and other drug paraphernalia. The officer documented there was food of varying age around the home, but no plates, bowls or food for the animals.

“The amount of trash, bugs, animal feces and other random equipment and clothing made traversing the residence hazardous,” court records said.

Court documents said the officer determined the conditions of the home where “completely unfit” for a child, and having him there was willingly endangering his health and safety.

Both Smith and Beaudry were charged with endangering a child, cruelty to non-livestock animals and trespassing. As of Friday, they remained at the Lubbock County Detention Center on bonds totaling $8,500 each.