Georgia: Ginger Jameson and Keith Sheppard, accused in child cruelty and animal cruelty case, convicted

GEORGIA -- A cat without a name is the last of 15 animals once available for adoption after being rescued earlier this year from a home described by prosecutors as maggot-ridden.

“Cat 652” is expected to be released for adoption within days. A Floyd County Superior Court judge convicted Keith Randall Sheppard and Ginger Lynn Jameson, both 42, on a count of cruelty to animals and two counts of second-degree child cruelty, authorities said.

Judge Tammy Colston sentenced the couple to three years in prison, followed by 13 years’ probation. A second count of animal cruelty was dismissed by prosecutors, records state.

Two children removed from the home at the time remain in foster care, said Floyd County police detective Mary Catherine Parris.

Sheppard and Jameson appeared Monday before Colston for a bench trial, meaning no jury heard the case. She convicted them at the conclusion of the afternoon trial, said Parris.

“All the pictures, all the evidence in that case was presented before the judge,” Parris said.

The accusations came after authorities responded May 14 to Jameson’s 278 Boyd Valley Road, Silver Creek, home because of a domestic situation.

Officers found two children living in a house where feces and urine covered most of the floor, furniture and their clothes, reports state.

“They knew that that house was unacceptable for a child,” Assistant District Attorney Suhirjahaan Morehead said.

Unacceptable for pets, too.

District Attorney Leigh Patterson agreed. “It was definitely not a structure two children needed to be living in,” Patterson added.

Police say they removed two dogs and 13 cats from the home.

Both dogs were adopted. Ten of the cats were euthanized, two adopted and one — “Cat 652” — soon will be up for adoption, said Jason Broome, director of Floyd County Animal Control.

The animal cruelty charges stemmed from “Cat 652” and “Buster” needing medical assistance or being covered in feces.

Buster, an older dog, was sent to a rescue group which could manage his medical condition. Floyd County Animal Control counts that release as an adoption.

“Cat 652,” a kitten, is doing better. It still hasn’t been given a proper name and is the lone cat that soon will be available for adoption.

“For the sake of argument, we could call it ‘Lucky,’” Parris said.

The animal control shelter is at 431 Mathis Road.

(Rome News Tribune - Oct 17, 2013)

Earlier:

• Couple charged with child cruelty now face animal cruelty accusations