Woman arrested after deputies find elderly woman, dogs neglected in Randolph County

NORTON, W.Va (WDTV) - Authorities arrested 28-year-old Canda Arbogast of Belington on Tuesday after discovering an elderly woman and two dogs suffering from neglect at her home near Norton in Randolph County. The arrest followed a neighbor's 911 call requesting medical assistance.

When deputies arrived at Arbogast's residence on River Mist Drive, they encountered an elderly woman sitting on the edge of a bed in a heavily smoke-filled room. The smoke, which was pouring in from a malfunctioning fireplace, posed serious health risks, including smoke inhalation for both the elderly woman and the responders. The woman, unable to walk, was in a deplorable condition, sitting in feces and unable to access fresh air.

Additionally, deputies found two dogs outside in a small, filthy fenced area. One dog was found chained and unable to move freely, while the water available to them was muddy and insufficient. This prompted concerns about the animals' welfare as well.

On the property, law enforcement also discovered two abandoned refrigerators and a deep freezer, which were still connected and littered with trash. Keeping doors attached to such appliances is illegal in West Virginia, as the law aims to prevent potential accidents involving children getting trapped inside.

As a result of these findings, Arbogast faces multiple charges, including neglect of an incapacitated adult by a caregiver, animal neglect, and three counts related to the unlawful condition of abandoned refrigeration appliances.