LIBERTY COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) - News 3 determined that deputies are looking a woman involved in an ongoing animal cruelty investigation.
Stephine-Anne Cantu is named in the incident report from February 10th where Liberty County deputies found at least four animals, believed to be dogs, decomposed inside a home in Hinesville. Another dog was found malnourished.
According to the incident report, Kaidin Chandler called the Liberty County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) to be present while he collected his belongings from his home. He was deployed in the Army and separated from his wife, Cantu, during that time.
"[Chandler] stated he looked through the living room window and saw trash all over the residence, to include feces, and one of his dogs. He said the dog was malnourished and completely covered in fleas. Mr. Chandler said he did not want to go in the house, because he was afraid he'd find a deceased dog," the report details.
Chandler told deputies he was not able to contact Cantu while she was staying at a friend's house out of town. According to the report, the deputy was able to contact Cantu.
The report says, "Ms. Cantu advised she had been staying with a friend about a week. I asked Ms. Cantu if there were dogs in the residence, which she responded saying there should be "at least two". She said "someone" was supposed to feed the dogs while she was away, but the
batteries on the electronic door lock died, so they couldn`t get in."
The Criminal Investigation Division and Animal Services are investigating this.