Woman who claimed she found 3 dogs dumped behind Lutz gas station arrested for animal cruelty, child neglect

Woman faces animal cruelty & child neglect charges

A woman faces criminal charges after Hillsborough County investigators say they found five children and five dogs living in ?truly appalling? conditions. FOX 13?s Jennifer Kveglis reports.

Tampa - A woman who deputies said claimed she found three dogs dumped behind a Lutz gas station was arrested for animal cruelty and child neglect. 

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said Carla Sanchez Diaz, 29, was arrested on multiple charges related to the case. This comes after the three dogs, including one that died, were taken to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay for treatment. 

Courtesy: Humane Society of Tampa Bay. 

RELATED: One of three dogs dumped behind Hillsborough gas station passes away, two others recovering

The backstory:

Deputies said they responded to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay after staff reported that they'd taken in three severely neglected dogs. The shelter named them "Blessing," "Hope," and "Halo."

Blessing was the one who was critically malnourished and showing signs of "imminent death," according to the sheriff's office. The dog was humanely euthanized to prevent further suffering. 

The two other dogs are currently recovering and in the shelter's care, according to investigators. 

PREVIOUS: Three dogs dumped behind Lutz gas station, reward offered for tips leading to suspect

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay said previously that each of the dogs were brought in weighing only 16 pounds. Staff said they were all emaciated, soaked in urine and near death. 

Pictured: Carla Sanchez Diaz. Courtesy: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. 

Dig deeper:

The dogs were surrendered to the shelter by a woman, later identified as Sanchez Diaz, authorities said. She claimed the dogs were found abandoned behind the Blessings Gas Station, which is located along U.S. 41 in Lutz. 

However, Hillsborough deputies said they found several inconsistencies with her statements. Deputies said they obtained surveillance video from the gas station and interviewed witnesses on Saturday, which helped them determine the dogs were never at the gas station. 

When deputies went to Sanchez Diaz's home, they said she voluntarily made statements acknowledging her involvement. After being told her rights, she made a full confession to deputies. 

READ: Florida man accused of slamming dog to the ground, headbutting patrol car during arrest

HCSO officials said they then searched her home, where they found two additional dogs, which were taken to Hillsborough County Animal Control. They also found five children in the home, which the Florida Department of Children and Families took custody of. 

Pictured: The other two dogs found in Sanchez Diaz's home. Courtesy: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. 

Sanchez Diaz is now facing the following charges: 

• Five counts of child neglect
• Three counts of aggravated animal cruelty
• Three counts of abandonment of an animal
• Three counts of unlawful confinement or abandonment of an animal
• Two counts of cruelty to animals

What they're saying:

"The conditions uncovered in this case are truly appalling. To subject both children and animals to such neglect is not only inexcusable, it is inhumane," said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Let me be clear: in Hillsborough County, cruelty and neglect will never go without consequence. We will always stand up for the most vulnerable, and we will ensure those responsible are held fully accountable. I applaud our deputies for their swift work to put this person behind bars."

Ben Moehnert, Humane Society Medical Services Manager, helped with the intake process of the three dogs.

"Things like this, no matter how long you're in the field, it's just devastating," he said.

He said it was gut-wrenching watching the dog, 'Blessing's,' health quickly deteriorate.

"The first day she couldn't stand up," he said. "She was trying to eat and drink, so we started hospitalization immediately and then the next day, her temperature dropped down to 93 degrees and she just started shutting down."

What's next:

As for the other two dogs, named 'Hope' and 'Halo', they are slowly putting weight back on and will be placed with a foster for the next two to three weeks.

Then, they will return to the Humane Society to be spayed and vaccinated, then be put up for adoption.