On September 14, deputies with the Panola County Sheriff’s Office responded to a welfare check at a home on Morris Lane, leading to the arrest of three individuals for animal cruelty and child neglect.

Authorities found a nine-day-old infant in poor condition, prompting a call to Child Protective Services, who took the infant into protective custody.

At the same home, deputies discovered eight neglected dogs, a cat, and a severely malnourished horse, all without food or water. The animals were rescued.

Local rescue Mississippi Horses took the horse into their care and are working to nurse her back to health.

The Panola County Sheriff’s Department arrested 32-year-old Steven Archer, charged with animal cruelty; 28-year-old Kaitlyn Kirtley, charged with animal cruelty and confining an animal without food or water; and 28-year-old Angel Brimhall, charged with child deprivation with substantial harm.

The case remains under investigation, and the suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.