Chandler 'House of Horrors': Inside the April McLaughlin animal abuse investigation
CHANDLER, Ariz. - FOX 10 has an exclusive look into the city of Chandler’s investigation and handling of an animal abuse case we’ve been reporting on since September.
FOX 10 has obtained internal emails between city employees in connection to the so-called "House of Horrors." Through a public records request, we asked for all emails received and sent by the city of Chandler using the name April McLaughlin and her several aliases. We’ve combed through more than 4,000 files to learn more about the suspect who now faces 77 misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty.
Emails reveal details in Chandler animal abuse probe
We have been reporting on the case surrounding the so-called 'House of Horrors' since September, and as the case continues, we have obtained internal emails connected to the case from the City of Chandler, in addition to details surrounding the countless complaints filed by members of the public. FOX 10 Investigator Justin Lum reports.
Chandler Police resubmitted the case against McLaughlin, a.k.a. Sydney Taylor-McKinley, to the city prosecutor’s office, as well as 18 more animal cruelty charges to the county attorney’s office for review. According to court documents in 2022, McLaughlin changed her name to Sydney Taylor-McKinley, citing reasons of safety, security, and a new beginning. Police, however, know her as McLaughlin.
On Thursday, McLaughlin posted her $1,000 bond and was released from jail.
April McLaughlin (MCSO)
Now, through these emails, we’ve learned what code enforcement dealt with trying to inspect the house where police would eventually seize 55 special needs dogs – plus finding five dead dogs in a freezer. The situation was a biohazard for investigators due to the unbreathable conditions.
Just days before the discovery, McLaughlin lied to code enforcement regarding the dogs she had.
McLaughlin's home near Pecos and Cooper Roads was under scrutiny in September, with code enforcement officials receiving several complaints about the strong smell of feces.
On Sept. 11, emails reveal that McLaughlin, listed as ‘April Addison,’ told staff she had eight dogs in her home. Another complaint stated that she ran a ‘doggy daycare’ at the house.
According to documents, the lead inspector didn’t smell any odors on the next visit a week later.
On Sept. 21, McLaughlin told Code Enforcement officials in an email that they couldn’t inspect her backyard, but could look from behind her house. The next day, Chandler Police officers, along with Arizona Humane Society officials, seized 55 special needs dogs, and found McLaughlin's elderly mother living in filth. Five more dogs were found dead in a freezer.
Mclaughlin was later arrested on animal abuse charges, and after her first arrest, Code Enforcement photos show McLaughlin’s backyard, and a notice of violation was issued. In early october, Adult Protective Services requested police records involving McLaughlin’s mother Kathleen, investigating vulnerable adult abuse allegations.
Read More: Chandler animal abuse investigation: Suspect's mother talks about so-called 'house of horrors'
Calls for action grew louder after the County Attorney’s Office sent the case back to police for further investigation.
Inside the 'house of horrors': 'Biohazard' detailed in report of Chandler animal, elder abuse suspect's home
We're getting a look inside the Chandler home where dozens of dogs were said to have been abused by April McLaughlin. A report details "biohazards" inside the home as first responders rescued the dogs and her elderly mother from the "house of horrors."
City Councilmember reacts
Chandler PD was hit by hundreds of emails from the public, including from people out of the country. City Councilmember Mark Stewart said that between him, the city's mayor and the rest of the city council, thousands of emails flooded their inboxes from around the world in regards to McLaughlin.
"Have you ever seen anything like this about a problem in the city?" we asked Stewart.
"No, we haven't," Stewart replied. "This is, like, an extenuating. This is very, very rare."
An email from Stewart proposed a video statement to inform the public on the timeline, what was being done for the dogs, and the crafting of a new animal ordinance.
"This video didn’t happen, but do you think ‘is that something that would have helped more’ at the time, looking back?" we asked Stewart.
"I think anything that you can do to communicate kind of where we are, where we're headed, and just letting the public know what's going on can help, but there's scope and scale. Right? You have as many people as you get. You have your PIO Department that's putting information out as quickly as we can, and organizing. That was not necessarily the highest priority, but it was something that we could have done,." Stewart replied.
The City of Chandler is planning to add clearer definitions of animal cruelty and hoarding to its city ordinance. A final vote is set for next month, and if approved, the updated law will take effect in 2024.
"I think it gives our police department and staff the tools to be able to deal with situations like this," said Stewart.