Couple charged with cruelty to juveniles, animals after drug investigation

A Morgan City couple faces charges for cruelty to juveniles and animals in addition to drug and weapons charges after police found deplorable living conditions inside a Cypress Street home, according to a Morgan City Police news release. Police also arrested two other people on drug charges during the investigation.
On Saturday, Morgan City Police narcotics investigators conducted a search warrant of a Cypress Street residence which was obtained during an investigation into complaints of illegal narcotics activity at that location. Detectives, along with assistance of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office, entered the residence, discovering several suspects along with three small juveniles, ranging in age from infant to three years old, police said.
Investigators discovered two children, ages 2 and 3 years old secluded in a separate room, police said. The conditions inside the room were found to be dirty and unsanitary, police said. The room was gated and found to have what appeared to be feces on the floor and walls of the room, police said. Investigators contacted the Department of Child Services who responded to the scene.
Authorities also located several small caged animals outside the home, police said. The animals were found to be emaciated and without shelter, food or water, police said. An animal control officer with the Morgan City Police Department responded to the scene.
During a search of the residence,which is located within a drug free school zone, detectives located methamphetamine and evidence that the substance was being sold from the residence, police said. Officers also located two handguns, a 9-mm and a .380-caliber, one of which was discovered to be stolen, police said.
During the subsequent investigation, detectives learned that the methamphetamine was indeed being sold from the residence, police said.
They also learned from witnesses that the children were subject to the unsanitary conditions for some time. The occupants of the home, Jeana Domangue and Jacob Domangue, are alleged to have, in prior instances, held some of the children in animal cages inside the residence, police said.
The Louisiana Department of Child Services took custody of the children where they were evaluated and given the proper care, police said. Morgan City Police are continuing to work with the Louisiana Department of Child Services during the investigation. The investigation is ongoing, police said.
During the investigation, police made the following arrests.
--Jeana M. Domangue, 22, of Cypress St. Morgan City, La. was arrested at 3:05 a.m. Saturday on the charges of possession of Schedule II methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, transactions involving proceeds from illegal narcotics activity, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of uniformed controlled dangerous substance law-school zone, keeping a disorderly place, cruelty to juveniles, cruelty to animals, illegal use or carrying of a weapon, illegal use of controlled drug in presence of persons under age 17 and illegal possession of a stolen firearm. Bail is set at $475,000.
--Jacob P. Domangue, 32, of Cypress Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:05 a.m. Saturday on the charges of possession of Schedule II methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, transactions involving proceeds from illegal narcotics activity, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of uniformed controlled dangerous substance law-school zone, keeping a disorderly place, cruelty to juveniles, cruelty to animals, illegal use or carrying of a weapon, illegal use of controlled drug in presence of persons under age 17, illegal possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Bail is set at $500,000.
--Courtney J. Smith, 28, of Levee Road in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:05 a.m. Saturday on the charges of possession of marijuana under 16 grams, resisting an officer, illegal use of controlled drug in presence of persons under age 17 and violation of uniformed controlled dangerous substance law.
--Deborah Francois, 32 , of Apple Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:05 a.m. Saturday on the charges of possession of marijuana under 16 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of uniformed controlled dangerous substance law and illegal use of controlled dangerous substance in the presence of Persons under age 17.