The Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a local woman after an investigation of cruelty to her children led to the discovery of 34 animals living in the home.
Darci Freligh Boyd, 41, was arrested after deputies accompanied personnel from the Department of Children and Family Services to a residence in the 4900 block of La. Highway 371 north of Ringgold regarding child welfare concerns.
Boyd, the mother of three juvenile children who were the subject of DCFS concerns, was located at the home. According to the Sheriff’s Office, DCFS made arrangements with family members to take custody of the children as they appeared to be victims of cruelty by Ms. Boyd.
BPSO also discovered the home was being used as an animal rescue for 27 dogs and seven cats, all being housed throughout the interior of the home and in a fenced area behind the home. Living conditions for the family as well as the animals were deplorable.
According to BPSO, Boyd claimed ownership of 10 dogs and the cats but said the remaining animals were being housed under the name of Hope Angel Rescue.
Boyd was charged with cruelty to juveniles and aggravated cruelty to animals. Bail was set at $20,000.
The animals were removed from the home and into the custody of Animal Rescue Corps from Tennessee and Animal Rescue New Orleans as well as volunteers from Texas. All animals are being examined by veterinarian Dr. Randy Clemons and vaccinated to allow out of state transportation. Boyd relinquished ownership of the animals in question to allow removal.
This rescue effort was arranged through officials from Dixon Correctional Institute which is a state penal facility north of Baton Rouge. The Sheriff’s Office thanked all who made the rescue a success.
