A Boynton Beach woman is facing felony charges of animal cruelty and abandonment for the death of multiple pets in her apartment.
Ashley Alicea, 26, was arrested Thursday after the discovery was made by officers Sunday.
Police say that, while conducting a welfare check at Alicea's apartment on Quantum Lakes Drive for reports of flies in the window and a decomposing smell, they found a dog dead in a closet, and a dead cat in a toilet with necropsies showing that the animals starved to death.
Alicea told police that she had been renting the apartment since June, 2016, but had allowed a man to live there since January, 2017, while she moved to Boca Raton to live with her boyfriend.
She said he agreed to pay the electric and water bills while she continued to pay the rent. Alicea allegedly told police she assumed the tenant would care for her pets since she was paying rent.
Police say Alicea didn't know the name of the man whom she claimed was living in her apartment and wasn't able to provide information on anyone who would know him.
A leasing agent at Alicea's apartment told police that the woman wouldn't let maintenance inside for a preventive check in April because she had guests visiting. The leasing agent say Alicea promised to call the office to reschedule the inspection, but never did.
Alicea was being held Friday morning in the main Palm Beach County jail on a $6,000 bond.