A pair has been taken into custody following the discovery of their 14-year-old daughter living in unsanitary conditions in a caravan with seven dogs, one of which was deceased. The teenage girl was found wandering on a street, complaining of stomach pain and dizziness. Subsequently, her mother and stepfather were apprehended on charges of child neglect.
Marchelle Pertilla, 43, and Eugene Medrano, 52, are facing accusations of child abuse. Pertilla also faces multiple charges of dog cruelty, while Medrano is charged with separate counts of dog cruelty, as stated by the authorities at the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office in Alabama.
The incident came to light when an employee at a Dollar General store noticed the distressed teenager and alerted the authorities. The girl disclosed that she had been living alone in the trailer since February 2025, receiving occasional food and supplies deliveries from her mother.
Upon investigation, detectives confirmed the dire living conditions in the trailer, with filth and a deceased dog found inside. The environment was described as being covered in waste, insects, and garbage. The girl revealed that her mother and stepfather were residing in Florida while she remained in Alabama.
Following a visit to the hospital, where the couple met their daughter, they were charged with offenses related to the case. The sheriff’s office reported that the mother claimed the girl chose to stay with the service animals. The investigation revealed three dogs outside, three inside, and one dead in a closet.
Sheriff Paul Burch expressed concerns about the situation, emphasizing the emotional impact on the girl. A handwritten note found in her room indicated repeated requests for her mother’s presence. Burch described the situation as emotional abuse, highlighting the distress inflicted on a child left to fend for herself by her parents.