Court proceedings have been suspended because of questions about the mental competency of a Cloverdale woman who was arrested in her filthy home two weeks ago for suspected felony child endangerment and animal cruelty related to a backyard breeding operation.
Brooke Hunter Brownback, 53, is scheduled to return to court May 5 after psychiatric evaluation, according to court records. She remains in the custody of the Sonoma County Jail in the meantime.
A self-employed landscaper, she was arrested March 25 after an animal control officer investigating a report of dogs running loose on the street found the house Brownback shared with her teen-age son filled with dog feces, urine, mud, rotting food, mold, flies and garbage, police said.
Wet blankets and clothing were strewn on the floor, which was rotting through and already had several holes, police said.
The yard was in a similarly appalling state, they said.
Brownback's 17-year-old son was taken into child protective custody, and 16 golden retrievers of all ages were taken to a local dog care facility for medical treatment and adoption to new homes.
Brownback was arrested for suspected child endangerment and 16 counts of animal cruelty. She remains in custody with bail of $25,000, jail personnel said.
Her home West Second Street home has been condemned, police said.
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