Laurens couple arrested, faces child, animal abuse charges

Candice Phillips, left, and Chad Phillips

A Laurens couple was arrested Wednesday by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office and now face child and animal abuse charges.

Candice Phillips and Chad Phillips are each charged with two counts of unlawful conduct toward a child and ill-treatment of animals.

According to the LCSO, deputies arrived at a Townsend Street residence around 11:30 p.m. and discovered the strong odor of animal urine and faces. They located several dogs being kept in small stacked crates with no food or water. The crate trays were full of feces, bile and urine.

More dogs – some in in ill-health with skin and other conditions – were discovered in another dwelling on the property.

Deputies also discovered children at the residence and observed the children walking through the home in bare feet on floors covered in “feces, urine and filth,” the release said.

In total, 42 dogs and one rabbit were removed by Laurens County Animal Control with help from Carolina Loving Hounds Rescue and Lucky Pup Rescue as well as individuals providing support.

“These despicable people committed these acts against these innocent children and animals,” said Laurens County Sheriff Don Reynolds in a release from the LCSO.

“To say the conditions were deplorable is an understatement. I want to thank the deputies who work these cases and see the unthinkable, prioritizing the safety and well-being of those who cannot help themselves. I am truly grateful to these rescues who responded and assisted us with helping these defenseless animals, when our shelter is already over capacity. Our Animal Control staff are to be commended for their hard work and dedication, as they combat these issues daily.”