30 Dead Dogs Found In Burlington County Home, Pair Charged: Police

EVESHAM, NJ — Thirty dead dogs were found inside a Marlton home, police said Tuesday. Authorities say they also found a child and more than a dozen living animals — many of which suffered health issues amid "extremely poor" conditions.

Evesham Township police responded Monday to the 600 block of Main Street for a report of suspected animal cruelty. Law enforcement contacted the homeowners and found several living and deceased dogs in the home.

Township police and the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office continue to process the scene as of 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. The investigation has generated information that up to 100 dogs have died in the home — many of which remain inside the residence or are suspected to have been buried on the property, officials said.

Police removed a child from the home because of poor conditions. The New Jersey Division of Child Protection & Permanency is currently caring for the child and investigating.

Officers also found 14 dogs living in the home, along with numerous cats and rabbits. Nine were taken to Mount Laurel Animal Hospital. Several of the dogs were in "extremely poor health," and one required euthanization, authorities said.

Two Marlton residents — Rebecca Halbach, 35, and Brandon Leconey, 32 — were charged with endangering the welfare of a child (second-degree) and animal cruelty (third-degree).

Officials placed Leconey in the Burlington County Jail. Halbach is receiving evaluation at a hospital for an unrelated medical condition as of Tuesday afternoon. But she'll also get placed in jail once she's cleared for incarceration, police said. Both will remain in the facility pending a detention hearing in Burlington County Superior Court.

The pair will receive additional animal-cruelty charges once authorities determine the number of impacted dogs, police said.

"The Evesham Police Department investigates crimes related to children with the utmost concern and work diligently to apprehend and prosecute suspects of these crimes," the agency said in a news release. "The Evesham Police Department also has three certified Humane Law Enforcement Officers, who respond to and investigate animal cruelty cases. These officers are also working, thoroughly on this investigation, to charge and prosecute the suspects related to the despicable conditions in this home and the malnourishment/abuse of the animals in this home."

Anyone with information related to this investigation, including anyone who provided animals to the home's residents, can contact the Evesham Police Department at 856-983-1116.