JESSICA NICOLE FOSTER arrested after deceased, decaying animals found in a Kanawha County home

- West Virginia, USA -

Kanawha County authorities arrested 43-year-old JESSICA NICOLE FOSTER (pictured), of Shrewsbury.

On April 27, 2026, a trooper with West Virginia State Police responded to a residence in the 3100 block of Maple Street in Belle after receiving a complaint about possible animal neglect at the property.

According to the complaint, the responding trooper “could smell the odor of decomposition emitting from” the residence. Furthermore, the trooper learned from neighbors that they had seen FOSTER carry a dog out of the residence in a suitcase.

A search warrant was then obtained and executed at the residence. The WVSP trooper forced their way in and investigators with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office and Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association officers also intervened in the case.

The trooper reported that the residence was “in complete deplorable condition” and disarray with animals’ feces and trash covering the floor. Moreover, the residence did not have working utilities.

The complaint stated that the trooper “...had to wear protective personal protective equipment along with an air pack with an oxygen tank to safely breathe inside the residence.”

The search warrant sadly led to the discovery of several deceased animals.

Two unidentified animals were found inside a freezer.

In the bathroom officials found a “deceased and nearly decayed” cat, a “deceased and nearly decayed” cat in a cat carrier, a “deceased and completely decayed” dog, and two “completely deceased and decayed” cats in the bathroom shower.

In a bedroom, in a cage that was under “numerous items”, officials discovered two “completely decayed dogs”.

In a second bedroom, officials found a deceased dog whom according to the complaint was “nearly completely decayed”.

According to the complaint, FOSTER arrived at the residence while officials were executing the search warrant, and she claimed that the smell was “...sewer or the rug on the front porch.” The complaint went on to state that FOSTER told authorities she could not smell the stench inside the residence due to previously having COVID-19.

FOSTER was taken into custody on April 27, 2026, and charged with eight felony counts of animal cruelty causing death. She was booked into the South Central Regional Jail and bail was set at $27,250.

At the time of writing, online records show that FOSTER is still in custody and a preliminary hearing is set for May 4, 2026, in Kanawha County Magistrate Court at 2:15 p.m.

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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.

FOSTER’s mugshot shared from South Central Regional Jail.

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