Additional charges have been filed in a neglect case that occurred in the City of Washington. According to Washington County Communications, two warrants were served to 37-year-old Heather Egbert who is in custody at the Washington County Jail. According to the Washington Police Department, Egbert has been charged with 14 counts of animal neglect, three counts of failure to provide current rabies vaccination, and three counts of failure to dispose of a deceased animal. She also faces four counts of child endangerment. 

The charges stem from an incident that happened in Washington in the 600 block of South Marion Avenue. On December 20th, 2024, authorities removed four children from the house along with 24 dogs and four cats. Inside the house, authorities found deceased animals, feces and urine on the floor, and waist-high trash along with mold in the basement where a sewer pipe burst earlier in the year.

Bond was set at $11,300, and Egbert remains in the Washington County Jail. A jury trial has been scheduled for March 25th. 

Thirty-five-year-old John Zaiss was also arrested and charged with four counts of child endangerment. A written plea of guilty was filed with the courts on January 16th.