SHAMOKIN — The News Item is reporting… A 31-year-old Shamokin woman faces felony animal cruelty charges after two dead dogs were found Saturday night inside her former apartment in the 200 block of South Shamokin Street that contained deplorable conditions.
Tara Jane Baker, who was evicted from 203 S. Shamokin St about two weeks ago, is in Northumberland County Jail in lieu of $1,000 bail after being arraigned Monday on two felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty and misdemeanors of cruelty to animals and neglect of animals.
Baker also was charged last month by Patrolman Benjamin Busko with a felony of endangering the welfare of a child and misdemeanors of causing a public nuisance and disorderly conduct after she allegedly brought her minor son into her South Shamokin Street apartment that contained deplorable conditions.
Authorities found dead dogs, a dead snake, 30 reptiles and filthy conditions including feces, trash, rotten food, urine, bugs and cockroaches when they went to inspect the apartment shortly before 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
