YOUNGSTOWN — Denise Wiggins of Smith Township could face up to 12 years in prison following her Thursday indictment on 24 counts of cruelty to animals.

Wiggins, 59, turned herself into Smith Township Police and reportedly told officers she knew about the dire state of the animals, but was too embarrassed to seek help. She was indicted by a Mahoning County grand jury and awaits arraignment in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, according to Prosecutor Gina DeGenova.

The indictment stated the neglect of several animals occurred from November 2023 to February of this year.

The charges stem from an incident investigated by Smith Township Police and Animal Charity of Ohio agents, DeGenova said.

In February, Smith Township police were called to Wiggins’ home on Alden Avenue in Alliance, where they found about 10 to 12 dead dogs, along with two living dogs

found to be starved, living inside a recreational vehicle filled with urine and feces, according to a news release from the prosecutor’s office.

Investigators say an odor immediately greeted them upon arrival, along with a stack of mail on the front porch as police entered the home through a slightly opened door.

Further investigation led to officers encountering several inches of piled up feces.

Officers wrote in the report that it was “hard to breathe” and that “not a part” of the home was left uncovered in either feces or trash.

Investigators eventually stumbled on the grisly discovery of the remains of 10 other companion animals, including both dogs and cats, in various stages of decomposition. Authorities believe the animals were left behind when Wiggins relocated, leaving them without anyone to provide basic care. Some of the animals, in a desperate attempt to survive, resorted to cannibalism, the police report states.

“These animals suffered,” DeGenova said. “They were dehydrated, starving, and living in their own waste with no way to escape. Thanks to Animal Charity, two dogs from this horrific situation can go on to live happy lives. Sadly, 10 other dogs and cats perished. No animal should have to endure this abuse.”

Because of the appalling conditions, the Mahoning County Health Department was called and eventually condemned both the house and the trailer.

If convicted, Wiggins also could face fines and a lifetime ban on owning animals. The animal cruelty charges range from fifth-degree to first-degree misdemeanors.