A mother and her partner have been arrested on serious child abuse charges in Alabama after their 14-year-old daughter was allegedly discovered living by herself in a squalid mobile home, surrounded by filth and seven dogs, one of which was dead and decomposing in a wardrobe.
Discovery and Hospitalisation
The distressing situation came to light when an employee at a Dollar General store became alarmed by the appearance of a teenage girl and contacted the authorities. The 14-year-old was reportedly seen stumbling along a road, complaining of stomach pain and dizziness. She was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment.
According to police statements, the girl told investigators she had been living alone in the trailer since February 2025. While detectives determined her mother, Marchelle Pertilla, 43, had sent food and supplies via deliveries, the conditions she endured were described as horrific.
A Home in Utter Squalor
Upon investigating the mobile home, officers from the Mobile County Sheriff's Office found it littered with rubbish, urine, faeces, and insects. Most disturbingly, they discovered a dead dog inside a wardrobe. In total, there were seven dogs on the property—three living outside, three inside, and the deceased animal.
The girl revealed that her mother and stepfather, Eugene Medrano, 52, were living in Florida while she remained in Alabama. The couple later visited her in the hospital, where they were arrested following the police investigation.
Charges and Emotional Toll
Marchelle Pertilla now faces one count of child abuse and six counts of second-degree animal cruelty. Eugene Medrano is charged with one count of child abuse and five counts of second-degree animal cruelty.
Sheriff Paul Burch highlighted the profound emotional abuse involved, pointing to a heartbreaking handwritten note found in the child's bedroom. The note read, "How many times mom tells me that she can't pick me up," and was followed by 87 dash marks. "Which would lead one to believe that at least 87 occasions she wanted her mom to come back up," Burch stated. He emphasised the trauma of a child being left to fend for herself.
The mother allegedly claimed the teenager did not want to leave her service animals, according to the sheriff's office. The investigation is ongoing as authorities seek to understand why the girl was left alone and whether others attempted to alert law enforcement.
