JORDYN HESS, owner of Hess Haven, arrested after many animals were found dead in a Citrus County residence as a result of severe neglect and abuse

- Florida, USA -

The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 24-year-old JORDYN HESS (pictured), owner of Hess Haven, a “self-proclaimed” animal rescue in Floral City.

The sheriff's office said in a press release that on February 16, 2026, deputies were dispatched to a residence on East Oak Court after receiving reports of animal neglect occurring at Hess Haven.

On arrival, deputies found many deceased animals whom according to the release, had died “due to severe neglect and abuse.”

Several deceased cats were found inside trash bags, a deceased dog was locked in a transport carrier, and three deceased birds were found in a chicken coop.

An exterior shed housed twelve additional cats who had no access to food or water. Once inside the residence, deputies discovered nine cats and one dog who were living among litter boxes “overflowing with feces.”

A total of forty-three (43) animals were removed from the residence and were taken to Citrus County Animal Services for medical evaluation and care.

HESS was placed under arrest and transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility. She is facing eleven felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty and twenty-two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty.

The sheriff's office is reminding residents to “𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘤𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘦 𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘻𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘺, 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘴. 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘧𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦.”

At the time of writing, the website for HESS’ organization appears to be inactive.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Citrus 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 and pictures provided to Voice For Us by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office.

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