Ashley Burdick, 41, was arrested in Brevard County after reportedly leaving her young son alone for days in a Merritt Island home infested with vicious dogs and filth.
The inquiry began on April 10 when a worried neighbor called the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and reported that the youngster had been alone for about four days.
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When a deputy arrived at the house, the child said that he couldn’t open the front door because “multiple aggressive dogs” were inside. Instead, the deputy had to question the child through the front bathroom window.
According to the arrest document, the son confirmed that he was home alone and gave his mother’s phone number, but deputies claim calls to Burdick went directly to voicemail. The Florida Department of Children and Families was called in to assist.
Inside the house, investigators reported “unsafe” and “unsanitary” conditions, including feces on the flooring. During interviews with a state investigator, the boy made various horrifying allegations, including that his mother had physically abused him. He also described an occasion in which he became intoxicated by mistakenly sipping moonshine juice from the refrigerator.
The youngster also claimed that he has been left without food for up to two weeks in the past and that he is not currently enrolled in school. “He does not feel safe,” the charging complaint states.
A subsequent inquiry discovered a witness who claimed Burdick would periodically leave off the youngster because she needed a “break.” This witness also told authorities that Burdick contacted her and asked her not to speak with DCF investigators about the present situation.
Burdick has been charged with child negligence without causing significant physical damage. Although she has been released from jail, she is expected to appear in court for her arraignment on May 14.
