‘Most horrific scenes‘: Parents charged after infant found in home with raccoons, dead goat

HONEA PATH, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Honea Path Police Department reports two people were charged after an 8-month-old and over 40 animals were found living in unsanitary and unsafe conditions.

Police report they were asked to respond to South Shirley Avenue by the Department of Social Services.

Officers said the residence was infested with a number of both living and dead animals, including raccoons, rabbits, dogs, cats and chickens. The body of a goat was found decomposing in a bathtub.

“Once my officers went inside, they discovered just piles of trash and animal feces. There were several different types of animals running around,” said Honea Path Police Chief Chris Miller. “Raccoons, chickens, cats, dogs. There was a dead goat in the bathtub in the bathroom that had been decomposing for several days.”

Animal feces and waster were also found throughout the residence, police said.

“It was just one of the most horrific scenes that I’ve ever been a part of in 30 years,” Miller said.

Over 40 animals were safely removed from the property with assistance from PAWS, and the 8-month-old was placed in the care of a relative, according to police.

Officers said the infant’s parents, Kayla Renard and Nicholas Foley, were charged with unlawful conduct toward a child and ill treatment of animals.

Chief Miller said the parents lack of emotion stood out most.

“Sitting there calm and really no emotion. No facial expressions,” Miller said. “You would think that they’d be a little upset that someone was taking their eight-month-old baby, that the police were there and discovered the horrific conditions of this house. You would think that they would have to know that they were in trouble.”

Officials report Renard and Foley were booked into the Anderson County Detention Center. Renard and Foley were both given $10,000 surety bonds. Foley posted bond on Tuesday.

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