Florida Woman Buried Kittens Alive, Believing They Were ‘Demonic’: Police

Three children tried to protect the kittens by locking them in a bedroom, but returned home to find the door forced open and the animals missing, police allege

• Alba Chavez, 37, was arrested on four felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty after deputies found two kittens alive and two dead buried in her backyard
• Three children living at the home tried to protect the kittens by locking them in a bedroom, but returned to find the door forced open and the animals missing
• Deputies heard the surviving kittens crying underground as they dug through the backyard during heavy rain and lightning
• A Florida woman allegedly buried two kittens alive in her backyard because she believed they were possessed by demons, prompting deputies to dig through the ground to rescue them.Alba Chavez, 37, was arrested on Thursday, Oct. 8, and charged with four felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty after deputies discovered two living kittens and two dead kittens buried outside a home in Hobe Sound, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a Facebook post.Three children living at the residence called 911 after discovering that kittens they had tried to protect from Chavez had disappeared, Sheriff John Budensiek said during a Friday, Oct. 9, news conference, per WPTV and Treasure Coast Newspapers.The children told investigators that Chavez had allegedly killed two kittens earlier in the week, thrown their bodies in the trash and later buried them in the backyard.Fearing for the remaining animals, the children locked three kittens inside a bedroom before leaving for dinner on Thursday evening, according to an arrest affidavit cited by WFLX.When they returned around 6 p.m., the bedroom door had been forced open and the kittens were missing.Deputies responding to the home at Hobe Sound Mobile Home Park questioned Chavez, who allegedly told them she believed the kittens were demons and did not want black or brown cats in her house.“If you want the cats, you will need gloves, a red bag and a shovel,” Chavez allegedly told investigators, according to the arrest affidavit cited by WFLX.She then directed deputies to an area of the backyard, where they began digging despite heavy rain and lightning, WPTV reported.“As they were digging, they could hear cries from the kittens,” Budensiek said.Deputies discovered two kittens alive underground inside plastic Publix bags. They also recovered the bodies of two kittens believed to have been killed earlier in the week.A fifth kitten remained missing as of Friday, Oct. 9, despite a search of the property.The two surviving kittens, believed to be approximately three weeks old, were rushed to a veterinary emergency facility, where they were treated for weakness and dehydration.A veterinarian told investigators the kittens were very weak and that it was too early to determine whether oxygen deprivation had caused brain damage or other lasting complications, according to WFLX.The two deceased kittens were expected to undergo necropsies to determine their causes of death.In an encouraging development, both surviving kittens were recovering in foster care as of Monday, Oct. 12, WPBF reported. They are expected to eventually be available for adoption.During questioning, Chavez allegedly described the cats as “very ugly” and made statements about not wanting cats of certain colors in her home, according to the affidavit. Investigators said she eventually began singing rather than answering additional questions.Budensiek said investigators had not determined whether mental health issues played a role in the alleged cruelty.“She said they were demonic. She said they were ugly. She said she didn’t want those cats in her house,” he said, according to WPTV. “I don’t know whether it was a mental health issue or she just didn’t like the cats.”The three children were placed in the care of their father after Florida’s Department of Children and Families became involved, according to Treasure Coast Newspapers. Eight adult cats at the residence were reportedly unharmed.Budensiek praised the children for contacting law enforcement and helping save the surviving kittens.“I applaud them for reaching out, calling 911 and letting us save the two kittens,” he said.Chavez remained in custody following her arrest. Investigators said additional charges could be filed if the missing kitten is found dead.It was not immediately clear whether Chavez had entered a plea or retained an attorney.