RVC Women in 'Animal House of Horrors' Plead Guilty

The mother and daughter who rented a Rockville Centre home where 26 dead animal carcasses were found on Jan. 15 pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges and will both spend time in prison, officials said.

According to the Nassau County District Attorney's Office, Faith Ross, 54, of RVC, pleaded guilty to five felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. Ross was sentenced to six months in jail and five years probation in exchange for her plea. In addition, Ross is not allowed to own any animals.

Her daughter, Francesca Maselli, 23, also pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals. Maselli will spend two months in jail and will be on probation for three years. She too will not be allowed to own any animals.

On Jan. 15, village officials responded to a complaint of a foul odor emanating from the home at 14 Montauk Ave. Upon entry, officials found 26 dead animals in various stages of decomposition, along with 14 malnourished dogs and cats. Officials also found two dogs that were muzzled and left in cages to die.

As a condition of their pleas, Ross and Maselli must also pay the Town of Hempstead restitution to cover the cost of caring for the animals that were rescued.

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