Animal control investigation leads to St. Helens child neglect arrest

LONGVIEW — A St. Helens resident has been arrested on suspicion of drug possession and child neglect.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office said Friday deputies arrested Colleen Kalama of St. Helens after receiving reports of animal neglect.

On Sept. 13, sheriff’s deputies searched Kalama’s home to find two minors in the St. Helens apartment, which was filled with garbage and feces, according to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. The report states the children were sleeping near drugs.

Officials obtained a search warrant for the home through an investigation by Columbia County Animal Control.

Law enforcement also found an emaciated pit bull and a Rottweiler in the apartment. Both were taken to the Oregon Humane Society in Portland.

Laura Klink, Humane Society spokeswoman, said officials reviewed the dogs’ conditions for possible criminal charges. The sheriff’s office reports the animal neglect case is ongoing.

The dogs were later sent to Columbia County Animal Control.

There was concern that without intervention the dogs would die, the sheriff’s office reports.