A 38-year-old Ocala woman is facing a slew of felony charges after allegedly vacating a local property for months, resulting in the starvation and death of multiple animals that were caged inside.
Back in late April 2026, Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a welfare check at a house, located on NE 41st Court in Anthony, that appeared to have been abandoned for several months. The property had “an odor of decomposition coming from inside the residence,” according to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) arrest report.
After obtaining a search warrant, deputies searched the property and found eight deceased animals, including a tortoise, two exotic birds, two “unknown species of rodent,” two snakes, and the possible remains of a cat, according to the report.
“Seven of the eight animals were caged and not able to leave or escape their enclosures,” noted an officer in the report. The officer added that the animals were not provided with basic care, such as food or water, within the residence.
Neighbors informed investigators that the property owner, identified as Heather Marie Hudson, had not lived there for approximately six months. During her absence, those neighbors had stepped in to provide food and water to livestock that had been left in an outside pasture, according to the report.
The surviving livestock, which included two female goats and a potbelly pig, were confined to a fenced pasture that reportedly lacked running water, available food, and adequate shelter. The surviving animals were safely removed by the MCSO Agricultural Unit.
Investigators determined that Hudson intentionally left the residence and did not return. During a phone interview with investigators, Hudson allegedly claimed that she had “left the animals for a friend” when she moved to another location within Marion County.
The report stated that Hudson refused to meet with law enforcement in person.
A warrant was issued for Hudson’s arrest, and she was eventually taken into custody and booked into Marion County Jail on Friday, July 10. She was released later that same day after posting bond, and she is facing the following charges: eight felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty and three misdemeanor counts of confining an animal without sufficient food and water.
Marion County Court records show that an arraignment hearing for Hudson is scheduled to take place at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 11. She is being represented by Orlando-based attorney Michael Panella.