For Immediate Release
| PR #: | 1500113 |
| Date Issued: | Oct 08, 2015 - 4:45pm |
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Sheriff's Office Deputies arrest Vya woman on multiple felony child neglect and animal cruelty charges due to extremely hazardous home conditions |
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| CASE #: | 15-9023 |
| CONTACT: | Bob Harmon Washoe County Sheriff's Office Office 775-785-6235 Cell 775-722-5517 |
Washoe County Sheriff's Office Deputies arrested Tiffany Brooks, age 34 of Vya, on multiple child neglect and animal cruelty charges Tuesday afternoon following a search of her property that revealed hazardous living conditions and lack of proper care for her children and animals.
Deputies initially responded to Brook's property on County Road 34 in Vya on Monday afternoon, October 5, 2015, to conduct a welfare check on Brooks' seven children. Although no one was home at the time, deputies observed that the property was in disarray, with broken down cars, hazardous materials containers, fuel containers and garbage scattered about the premises.
Deputies also observed two horses contained in corrals on the property that appeared to be extremely malnourished and without any visible sources of food, clean water or suitable shelter to protect them from the elements. Both horses also showed visible signs of lack of care such as long an uncared for hooves and patches of missing coat.
Deputies also observed five dogs kept in containers and one dog that was allowed to run loose on the property.
Based on concerns for the children and animals living on the premises, deputies obtained a search warrant and returned to the property along with Regional Animal Services on Tuesday, October 6.
The search of the house and property revealed conditions that were unhealthy, hazardous and uninhabitable for children. These included unsecured weapons, unsecured prescription medicines, unsecured power tools and other sharp objects, animal feces throughout the grounds and interior of the house, rotting food inside the house along with piles of garbage and laundry creating a bio hazard.
While deputies were at the residence, Tiffany Brooks arrived home along with another adult, Brandon Quinonez and four of her children.
Based on evidence gathered at the scene, deputies arrested Brooks on seven counts of felony child neglect, two counts of felony animal cruelty and five counts of failure to provide for a confined animal.
Quinonez, age 24, is the natural father of one of Brooks' children. He was also arrested on one count of felony child neglect and for violation of conditions of parole. All seven children are currently in the care of Washoe County Child Protective Services and the horses are in the care of Washoe County Regional Animal Services.
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.