BENTON, Ark. (KTHV) - While searching for escaped Tucker inmate Curtis Reese Jr., authorities came across a Saline County house that appeared to have a large number of animals inside without electricity or a caretaker.

Police in Benton said in a press release that they found dogs and cats in cages, stacked all throughout the house on Latimer Drive. Some were deceased or in very poor condition, according to police.

Additionally, police said there were no utilities on at the home, the animals were covered in excrement, and there was no evidence that they had been given any food or water recently.

According to police, Dorothy Braithwaite, 48, was contacted and arrested on 23 counts of aggravated animal cruelty. The animals have been transported to the Benton Animal Control facility for care.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to please contact the Benton Police Department at 778-1171 or 315-TIPS. Individuals also may send an anonymous crime tip to CRIMES (274637) with the keyword BNPD in the body of the text.

(Source: Benton Police Department)