Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/223368
Sarasota News Leader December 6, 2013 Page 78 VENICE WOMAN CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF CHILD NEGLECT The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has arrested a Venice woman on two counts of Child Neglect "after deputies discovered toddlers living in horrific conditions," the office has announced. walking barefoot on floors covered in garbage, blood and rotting food; dirty diapers smashed into the carpet; and beer cans and drug paraphernalia scattered around, the release adds. The report says deputies found the kitchen sink overflowing with dirty dishes and rotten food. The refrigerator contained some food (pizza, soda and milk), the report continues, but "the food smelled as if it was spoiled." Deputies went to 9055 S. Tamiami Trail on the night of Dec. 3 to look for a wanted sex offender and were told by 22-year-old Donnalee Ballard that the suspect lived with her, would be home soon and they could "Ballard also admitted being addicted to drugs wait inside, a news release says. Once in the and shooting up that day while the children home, deputies saw 1- and 2-year-old children were in the next room," the release says. The kitchen floor of a Venice woman's home was strewn with food, syrup, a pizza box and plastic bags, deputies reported. Contributed photo