Fort Myers dad accused of killing kittens as punishment for his teen daughter

FORT MYERS, Fla. — A Fort Myers man is facing serious animal cruelty charges after allegedly killing two kittens and injuring a third.

According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a home in Pine Manor after receiving a report that a man was trying to drown and strike a two-month-old kitten named Luna.

Witnesses identified the suspect as David Charette Jr. and told deputies he would abuse and kill the family's kittens in front of his teenage daughter as a form of punishment when she "acted up."

During the investigation, detectives learned Charette Jr. had killed two kittens in the past year.

In June, he allegedly smothered a one-month-old kitten with a rag soaked in bleach. In a separate situation, he allegedly killed a three-month-old kitten by burning it with a blow dryer.

Investigators learned both kittens had been buried in the backyard, but only one was recovered during a search of the property.

Luna was taken to a local animal hospital where she received treatment and is now recovering.