DONNA GAYLE EDWARDS arrested following a hoarding investigation at a Pitt County home

- North Carolina, USA -

Pitt County authorities arrested 71-year-old DONNA GAYLE EDWARDS (pictured).

EDWARDS’ arrest follows a hoarding investigation at a Pitt County home that led to the discovery of over a hundred animals.

Arrest warrants accused EDWARDS of unlawfully and willfully tormenting and depriving multiple animals of necessary sustenance.

On March 18, 2026, Pitt County Animal Services conducted a welfare check at a home on Brickyard Court outside of Grimesland after receiving reports about animals who were living in poor conditions.

Officers discovered an animal hoarding situation and said that the furvictims were living in unsanitary and unsafe conditions. According to Pitt County Animal Services, many of them appeared to be suffering from malnutrition and lack of adequate veterinary care.

Officers removed from the home one bird, two bearded dragons, forty-nine dogs, one hedgehog, five rabbits, four snakes, four tarantula spiders, and one tortoise. Sadly, thirty-five animals of various species were found deceased.

EDWARDS surrendered all of the animals to Pitt County Animal Services who at the time advised through a Facebook post that the shelter was going to be closed for one day to deal with the “emergency situation”.

EDWARDS was arrested on April 6, 2026, and at the time of writing, records show she is being held at the Pitt County Jail on a $175,000 secured bond. According to court records, EDWARDS is scheduled to appear in Pitt County District Court on May 4, 2026, at 8:55 a.m. before Judge William Brian Desoto.

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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.

Mugshots shared from the Pitt County Sheriff's Office.

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