A judge has taken away custody of a Selden woman’s six underage daughters following her arrest on animal cruelty charges.
The judge issued the order Tuesday in Suffolk County Family Court in Central Islip.
Two of the children will live with an older brother and the other four will be cared for by relatives or be placed in Foster Care. The youngest of the children is 18 months.
Sharon McDonough has pleaded not guilty to six counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty. Authorities are also considering additional charges after 20 animal carcasses were found buried in McDonough’s backyard.
Investigators are also trying to determine if any of the dead animals had been stolen. Dozens of Suffolk residents have reported missing animals to the SPCA following McDonough’s arrest.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.