BELFAST, Maine — Two people from Belfast are facing several charges including endangerment and animal cruelty.
Belfast police on April 10 responded with Maine Adult Protective Services to a home on Belmont Avenue to conduct a welfare check on a senior adult living there, the police department said Friday in a release.
The welfare check reportedly revealed "unsafe conditions," causing investigators to have concerns surrounding the welfare of the senior living in the home, police said.
According to police, the conditions observed led to an additional follow-up being required, as well as more investigating.
"Separately, Belfast police also began an investigation into the welfare and safety of several animals at the property," the release stated.
Over the next week, police returned to the home several times for further investigation but were unable to locate anyone, including the at-risk senior.
"It was believed that the subjects fled the area and it appeared they took the at-risk person with them," the release said. "However, they left several animals without food or water, in deplorable conditions, some in very poor health and needing immediate attention to survive."
Police on Wednesday were able to locate the two individuals who were the subject of the investigation, as well as the at-risk senior, in Auburn.
The two, identified as 64-year-old Monique Kandra and 25-year-old Rowan Kandra, were arrested on Class C felony endangering charges. According to police, the at-risk senior was taken into protective custody and to an area hospital for evaluation.
On Thursday, police executed a search warrant at the Belmont Avenue home for animal cruelty, and several animals were seized and taken to area rescue shelters as a result until a court hearing scheduled for Monday.
Both Monique and Rowan Kandra were charged with Class C endangering the welfare of a dependent person and Class D animal cruelty, which police said may be upgraded to Class C.
They were both taken to the Waldo County Jail where they were booked and released on $2,000 cash bail.
Their arraignment on criminal charges is scheduled for May 22 in the Waldo County Superior Court.
Police ask anyone who may have information to contact them at 207-338-2040.
This case remains under investigation.
