CAMPBELL — A Mahoning County grand jury this week handed down indictments in two separate cases involving alleged animal and child abuse.

On Thursday, the grand jury indicted Lisa Micco, 44, and Joseph Micco, 66, of Van Buren Avenue, on two charges of endangering children, a first-degree misdemeanor, and 22 counts of cruelty to companion animals, a fifth-degree felony. They also indicted Donna Yasechko, 46, of Penhale Avenue, on both fifth-degree felony and first-degree misdemeanor counts of cruelty to companion animals.

An investigative report completed by Campbell Police Humane Officer Jim Conroy shows that in March 2024, the Campbell police and Mahoning County Children Services investigated abuse of a 14-year-old Campbell Memorial High School student, after her grandmother — a Florida resident — contacted police and provided photographs allegedly taken by the girl, showing filthy living conditions inside the residence.

Authorities and school officials separately interviewed the girl, who described living in a home infested with fleas, saturated with animal waste and occupied by more than 20 dogs. She said she was afraid of her mother, Micco, embarrassed by her own odor and fearful of reporting conditions because of threats and past violence. The report states the girl reported being choked by Micco to the point of near unconsciousness, along with years of other physical abuse, threats and neglect.

School counselor Marilyn McCallister said the girl disclosed the conditions while crying in her office and reported that her mother had threatened to beat her if she told anyone.

When police tried to investigate on March 11, 2024, Micco refused to allow them into the residence and denied allegations concerning the number of dogs and the condition of the home. Children Services subsequently removed the girl from the residence and police obtained a search warrant.

While executing the search warrant on March 13, 2024, the report states, police repeatedly described the conditions as overwhelming and hazardous. Officers reported a powerful odor of ammonia, extensive garbage, mold, mildew, animal waste, urine-soaked floors and walls, severe clutter throughout the residence and living conditions they considered unsafe for human habitation. Officers said they became physically ill immediately upon entering the home because of the smell.

Authorities removed 22 dogs from the property. Investigators reported that nearly all of the animals were confined to small cages or pens without food or water and were living in urine and feces.

Many of the animals allegedly suffered from serious untreated medical conditions, including heartworm, tumors, infections, open wounds, parasites, severe dental disease, skin disorders and overgrown nails. Investigators concluded the animals had been living in those conditions for an extended period.

The investigation also uncovered allegations from family members that Micco had subjected the girl to years of emotional abuse, intimidation and neglect. Relatives described the girl as fearful of her mother, reluctant to discuss home conditions and frequently humiliated by persistent odors and hygiene issues stemming from the environment. One aunt reported the girl routinely cared for the dogs and feared physical punishment if she failed to do so.

Micco’s criminal history includes prior convictions and charges for domestic violence, child endangering, drug offenses, theft-related offenses and other crimes. The report states that police also reviewed veterinary records and concluded that few, if any, of the dogs found at the residence had received veterinary care for several years.

YASECHKO

A Campbell police report states that on Aug. 20, 2025, officers responded to a complaint about a small white dog running loose. When police asked a man on a motorcycle in front of 392 Penhale Ave. about the dog’s whereabouts, he said he hadn’t seen it, but its name was Pinto and it belonged to his daughter, Donna Yasechko.

The report states an officer soon after saw the dog running loose near 12th Street and noted that it was wearing a filthy, blood-covered cone and appeared to have exposed bone protruding from its tail area. Officers reported the animal cried out in pain whenever its rear end touched anything.

When questioned, Yasechko told police the dog had been in that condition for about a week and had a vet appointment scheduled for the next day. The report states that police contacted the veterinary office and learned the clinic had not been informed of the severity of the injury and was not equipped to treat it. Police then transported Pinto to Crago Veterinary Hospital in Boardman for emergency treatment.

The report states veterinarians found that Pinto was in extreme pain and suffering from severe and prolonged medical neglect, including exposed spinal tissue, infection, tissue necrosis, anemia caused by flea infestation, malnutrition and dehydration.

The report states blood tests showed the dog was too weak to immediately undergo surgery and required nearly two weeks of hospitalization before veterinarians could amputate the damaged tail. Veterinarian Tom Reeping concluded the condition had likely been ongoing for six to eight weeks and was consistent with prolonged neglect and lack of proper care.

The report states that, after being informed the veterinary treatment would cost thousands of dollars, Yasechko surrendered ownership of the dog. Campbell Cruelty and Humane Rescue assumed responsibility for Pinto’s care, which ultimately exceeded $2,600.

Police initially recommended a fifth-degree felony charge of knowingly causing serious physical harm to a companion animal, along with several misdemeanor counts for neglect, licensing and the dog running loose.