Written by: E. George
Published March 10, 2024 @ 8:00 PM ET
Warning: The following report describes violence against/neglect of animals.
CARROLL COUNTY, Ga. – A Villa Rica Police officer arrested a 40-year-old woman on February 10, 2024, after responding to a physical dispute at an Old Stone Road residence. Upon entering the “unkept home,” the officer discovered litter boxes nearly overflowing with feces and four ill kittens.
One kitten had bloody eyes, and another had its eyes completely swollen shut. The officer photographed the felines and the inside of the deplorable residence.
The victim explained that she had previously lived at the residence and traveled there to obtain the rest of her belongings. She showed documentation from a court order corroborating her story.
She said when she arrived, her former roommate, Melissa Nicole Hollis, yelled at her, “Get out of my house,” and shoved her upper chest with two open palms. Hollis then engaged a chain lock on the door to lock the victim and her witness outside, preventing her from gathering her items.
The officer observed kitty litter all over the wood flooring, along with empty food containers. A large bag of cat food sat on a coffee table, ripped open and appearing several weeks old.
Hollis told the officer she awoke to the victim entering her home. She said the victim no longer lived there because she kicked her out.
The officer inquired about the court order stating the victim could return to retrieve her belongings, and Hollis admitted to being aware. She claimed that the victim began yelling at her first, and no physical contact was made.
Hollis said her kittens’ illnesses and lack of pet food were due to insufficient funds. She stated she had not been able to afford cat food or veterinary visits “for roughly a month.”
The officer noted that Hollis changed her story three times. At one point, she claimed the victim had threatened to end her life.
When the officer handcuffed and placed Hollis in the patrol vehicle, she began complaining that she could not breathe. West Georgia Ambulance arrived and medically cleared her, stating that her heart rate was only elevated because she was breathing quickly.
The officer noted that Hollis breathed normally while waiting for EMS, and as soon as the ambulance arrived, she began to forcefully breathe rapidly again. She was transported to the Carroll County Jail and charged with simple battery (family violence) and four counts of animal cruelty. This case is pending in court.
Carroll County Animal Control arrived and took possession of the kittens to provide proper medical treatment and “re-home” them.
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On February 10, 2024, at approximately 1043 hours, I, Officer Monroe, was dispatched to [60 BLOCK] Old Stone Road in reference to a dispute in progress.
Upon my arrival, with body camera activated, I met with the victim, [VICTIM #1]. [VICTIM #1] stated she arrived at this residence, where she has recently lived, to obtain some of her items to include her clothes and shoes. [VICTIM #1] advised, and showed documentation, from a court order that she has 60 days from January 11, 2024, to obtain her items and leave the residence on a verbal agreement through a court order. [VICTIM #1] stated she arrived at the residence with her witness, [WITNESS #1], to obtain her items from the residence.
[VICTIM #1] advised once she entered the residence, her roommate, Melissa Hollis, began yelling at her. [VICTIM #1] stated Melissa Hollis got into her face and then shoved her on her upper chest with two open palms and yelled “get out of my house.” [VICTIM #1] advised Melissa then locked the door once they walked outside of the residence via the chain lock. [VICTIM #1] stated once she was outside she called 9-1-1 for assistance. [VICTIM #1] agreed to complete a statement form.
While on scene, I spoke with [WITNESS #1]. [WITNESS #1] advised they entered the residence to pick up some of [VICTIM #1]’s items. [WITNESS #1] stated Melissa began yelling at [VICTIM #1] and they began arguing. [WITNESS #1] advised Melissa then got near [VICTIM #1] and Melissa, and shoved [VICTIM #1]’s upper chest with two open palms. [WITNESS #1] stated once they left and went outside of the residence, Melissa locked the door behind them preventing them from getting [VICTIM #1]’s items. [WITNESS #1] agreed to complete a statement form.
I was unable to observe any marks or redness in reference to the act of the shove from Melissa to [VICTIM #1]. Photographs of the area that [VICTIM #1] complained of being shoved were taken on scene.
Upon entering the residence, I observed an unkept home with litter boxes nearly overflowing with animal feces, litter throughout the wood flooring, empty food containers throughout the wood flooring and on a coffee table, a large bag of cat food ripped open, which appeared to be several weeks old, and a tub of little water.
I observed four kittens to be in unwell shape, to include one kitten having bloody eyes, and another to have its eyes completely swollen shut. The other two cats were in a rough, unwell looking shape. Photographs of the residence and the cats were taken.
Once inside the residence I was met with the Melissa. Melissa stated she woke up to [VICTIM #1] entering her home. Melissa advised [VICTIM #1] does not live at this residence and she kicked her out. I then asked Melissa about the court order to obtain her items within the 60 days. Melissa was aware of this court order. Melissa did advise on scene that [VICTIM #1] has lived at this residence for approximately one to two months.
Melissa stated once she observed [VICTIM #1] inside the residence, and became very agitated. Melissa advised [VICTIM #1] began yelling at Melissa, then shortly after [VICTIM #1] left the residence. Melissa then locked the door to prevent [VICTIM #1] from entering the residence. Melissa stated there was no physical contact at the time of the dispute between [VICTIM #1] and herself. While speaking with Melissa, Melissa advised the state of the cat’s food was bad due to the lack of money.
Melissa stated she has not been able to afford food or veterinarian checks for the cats for roughly a month. It should be noted that Melissa changed her story three times on scene about what [VICTIM #1] was yelling about during the dispute. At first, Melissa stated [VICTIM #1] only shouted at her about obtaining her items, then leaving. The second time, further into the investigation, Melissa advised [VICTIM #1] threatened her.
The final time, after Melissa was placed under arrest and in my patrol vehicle, Melissa stated [VICTIM #1] threatened to end Melissa’s life. Due to the lack of evidence to support Melissa’s claims, [VICTIM #1] was not charged on scene. Melissa claimed ownership of all cats on scene. Melissa agreed to complete a statement form.
It should be noted, Melissa and [VICTIM #1] both advised that [VICTIM #1] has and is currently residing at [60 BLOCK] Old Stone Road until [VICTIM #1] either has been evicted or [VICTIM #1] collects her items and gives up her residency.
Based off physical and testimonial evidence, Investigation led to the observation of Melissa Hollis to be the predominant aggressor during this dispute. Melissa Hollis was placed under arrest for Simple Battery FVA (O.C.G.A. 16-5-23) and four counts of Cruelty to Animals (O.C.G.A. 16-12-4 (B).) Melissa was placed in double-locked cuffs, which were checked for proper fit, and searched incident to arrest, which yielded no contraband.
Upon placing Melissa in the rear of my patrol vehicle, Melissa complained of not being able to breathe and she wanted to be checked out. West Georgia Ambulance arrived on scene shortly after the complaints. West Georgia Ambulance personnel advised Melissa is only showing an elevated heart rate due to the quick breathing by Melissa. Melissa was medically cleared by West Georgia Ambulance on scene.
It should be noted, while waiting for West Georgia Ambulance, when I stepped away from my patrol vehicle to continue my investigation, I observed Melissa to calm down and breathe normally through the rear door’s window. However, when West Georgia Ambulance arrived, Melissa then began breathing rapidly and began hyperventilating again. Melissa was transported to Carroll County Jail for housing.
While on scene, Carroll County Animal Control arrived on scene to re-home the kittens and provide the proper care for the kittens. The Animal Control Officer retrieved four kittens on the property due to the deplorable and negiligent care they were receiving.
Carroll County warrants for Melissa for Simple Battery FVA (O.C.G.A. 16-5-23) and the four counts of Cruelty to Animals (O.C.G.A. 16-12-4 (B) have been completed and await a judge’s signature.
[End of Narrative]