CARLA MICHELLE SANCHEZ DIAZ arrested following an investigation into three dogs she claimed she had found at a gas station

- Florida, USA -

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office arrested 29-year-old CARLA MICHELLE SANCHEZ DIAZ (pictured).

According to the department’s press release, on August 29, 2025, deputies responded to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay after staff reported that three severely neglected dogs had been brought in.

Deputies learned from staff that a woman, later identified as SANCHEZ DIAZ, claimed she had found the dogs abandoned behind the Blessings Gas Station located at 18215 U.S. Highway 41.

One of the three dogs “was critically malnourished and showing signs of imminent death,” stated the release and in order to prevent further suffering, the poor soul was sadly euthanized.

SANCHEZ DIAZ must have thought she was out of the woods but thankfully for the dogs, deputies began an investigation.

As per the press release, deputies “identified several inconsistencies in her statements.”

On August 30, 2025, deputies obtained video surveillance from the gas station and after interviewing witnesses, it was determined that the three dogs were not at the gas station as claimed by SANCHEZ DIAZ.

SANCHEZ DIAZ was then located at her home in the 900 block of Montana Avenue and according to the sheriff’s office, she “voluntarily made statements acknowledging her involvement.”  

As deputies searched the residence, they discovered two additional dogs and five children.

Hillsborough County Animal Control took custody of the two dogs, while the Florida Department of Children and Families took custody of the children.

SANCHEZ DIAZ was arrested and charged with three counts of abandonment of an animal, three counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, three counts of unlawful confinement or abandonment of an animal, two counts of cruelty to animals, and five counts of child neglect.

She was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail and at the time of writing, records show that she is still behind bars.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a written statement: “The conditions uncovered in this case are truly appalling. To subject both children and animals to such neglect is not only inexcusable, it is inhumane. Let me be clear: in Hillsborough County, cruelty and neglect will never go without consequence. We will always stand up for the most vulnerable, and we will ensure those responsible are held fully accountable. I applaud our deputies for their swift work to put this person behind bars.”

The investigation is ongoing.

I took the liberty of naming the furvictim who was euthanized, Baby for the tribute image. Should his/her given name be made public, I will rectify it accordingly.

###

Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

Mugshot shared from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

For more animal cruelty stories, please click here. Thank you!