Virginia Gambriel - Arrested On Child Endandgerment Charges After Authorities Remove Over 300 Sick, Neglected Animals From Farm

St. Louis, Missouri (The Weekly Vice) -- Virginia Gambriel, a 61 year old Polk County woman has been arrested and charged with child endangerment in connection with a case the local Humane Society is calling the largest animal rescue effort in it's history.

Polk County authorities took action Tuesday after repeated warnings to Gambriel to clean up her 80 acre property and improve the condition of the animals she kept.

Authorities say the family, which included six children under 11 years of age, lived in filthy conditions described by Polk County officials as an unbelievable scene. Polk County Sheriff, Steve Bruce said it was the worst he's seen in 16 years of public service. Officials with the Humane Society of Missouri are calling it the largest animal rescue effort the organization has ever undertaken.

Polk County officials began the evacuation of more than 300 animals from the property that were found to be dead, suffering from mange, starving, injured or infected with parasites. The animals were also found without adequate food, water and shelter.

The property, which was inhabited by three families, a dozen trash packed trailers and up to 20 abandoned vehicles, had become overrun by animals, animal feces, cockroaches and debris.

Authorities say neighbors were complaining because many of the animals had been let out of their cages and were running loose. The only source of running water throughout the property was several lengths of hose that had been hooked together.

"These homes are not fit for anyone to live in," said Bruce. "I've never seen so many types of animals with so much neglect," he added.

"We've known for a while they were a little strange, that they didn't want interference from the outside world, but unless we're down there on a call, it's not part of our routine patrol."

The variety of animals who were rescued from the property included over 70 dogs, 50 rabbits, 35 cats, 25 ducks, 10 goats, 6 donkeys, 5 horses, 40 exotic birds, pigs, mice, hamsters and fish.

The Missouri Division of Family Services also removed six children from the property, although there's still no word where or with who the children will be placed.

Many of the animals will be treated by Humane Society Workers at it's Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union, Missouri. Others will be taken to the Humane Society of Missouri headquarters in St. Louis.

A custody hearing for the animals will not occur until September 2nd, so animal adoption is not yet available, however the Humane Society did say it had an immediate need for funding, cages, food, animal toys and volunteers to help with the rehabilitation efforts they'll be undertaking.

Virginia Gambriel has been charged with two felony counts of child endangerment because the children were kept in deplorable living conditions, however authorities said additional charges may be forthcoming. She was ordered held on a $7,500 bond.

The Weekly Vice Opinion:

She may look half dead...but she's ahead of the curve in one respect. No one will be as prepared for Halloween as she is, sporting that orange and black hair and corpse pale skin. Hey, now even her jail outfit matches. Don't be jealous. You can have orange hair too.

Danny Vice
The Weekly Vice
http://www.theweeklyvice.com