If Tammy Felbaum gets out of jail, she won’t be able to live in her Butler County trailer because officials say it is too unsanitary.

Mrs. Felbaum has not lived in the trailer since Feb. 25, when she was arrested after the death of her sixth husband, James Felbaum.

The 40-year-old died of complications from a crude castration and prescription pain killers, according to autopsy reports. State police charged Mrs. Felbaum with performing the operation in the couple’s Marion Township mobile home, where investigators found human and animal waste, dead and live animals and bloody surgical items.

Mrs. Felbaum maintains her innocence, saying her husband castrated himself. She claims to have castrated herself before getting a sex-change operation, and told police she helped her husband with his surgery after he couldn’t complete the procedure.

On May 1, Marion Township officials went to Butler County court about a civil action filed March 16 which could result in up to 90 days in prison or up to a $300 fine for Mrs. Felbaum, for each day she doesn’t clean up or repair her property, said Deb Bailey, township secretary.

The township went to court last Tuesday to hear the county’s determination on the suit.

"We’re attempting to get it condemned and have the township in control of the cleanup," Ms. Bailey said.

However, the township’s action was sidetracked by Mrs. Felbaum’s attorney, public defender Richard Goldinger. He wanted to discuss an injunction granted to the township by the county court on April 26. "The township posted a notice and no one can inhabit the home unless she cleans it up," Ms. Bailey said.

Although township officials haven’t been in the trailer, from pictures and information gathered by state police during the crime investigation they believe it needs a new floor and septic system.

"She said she already does have (a septic system). We say she (doesn’t)," Ms. Bailey said, because police found human waste accumulated in the toilet, shower and in buckets.

"She would have to replace the flooring because of the (animal) fecal matter on floor," Ms. Bailey added. "And, from what we understand, there are holes in the floor. Who knows what else."

If Mrs. Felbaum posts her $100,000 bond, she could go on the property to clean it, or give permission to someone else to do the job. No one can live there unless it’s approved by the township roadmaster.

Susan Badaracco and her husband, Albert, live next to Mrs. Felbaum’s trailer.

"We notice (a smell) when we’re sitting on the back porch, a smell of decay, something dead," Mrs. Badaracco said. "We’ve seen (about six) pretty good size rats there. They seem to be running under her trailer. We’re also noticing a good many snakes ... and we think it’s because the grass is getting high."

As the weather gets hotter, she believes the smell and the pests will get worse. "Once it really gets bad, I don’t know what we’re going to do," she said.

The Humane Society set traps to collect Mrs. Felbaum’s outside cats, Mrs. Badaracco added, "but they didn’t get them all. Now, they’re having kittens. There are quite a few cats running all over the place, at least 10 or 15."

She spoke to a humane officer in Clarion, who said the Badaraccos could set traps in their yard to catch the cats, Mrs. Badaracco said. "But, I’d have to take them to Clarion."

The humane officer covers both Butler and Clarion counties "and she’s overwhelmed with work," Mrs. Badaracco added.

A poodle removed from the house was put to sleep, Mrs. Badaracco said. A Shar-Pei, named "Wrinkles," however, is in the care of Felbaum’s brother, Tom. "All the other cats are put up for adoption," Mrs. Badaracco added.

As far as the civil action and condemnation issues by the township, a new court date hasn’t been scheduled.

If the condemnation is granted, "That will mean a whole new set of problems ... (Will) it will give us the right to repair or destroy it?" Ms. Bailey said. "We contacted a company about hazardous cleanup, but it’s $200 an hour. That is a big expense for a small township.

"None of us want to be on her bad side, but she did write a letter to our solicitor to not pick on her because she’s in jail," she added. "It all boils down to court approval for anything we can do. Now, it’s considered a dangerous structure and has caution tape to keep people out and safe."

Neighbors have mostly felt safer, though, since Mrs. Felbaum has been in jail, Mrs. Badaracco said, adding the idea of her getting out on bond worries everyone.

Felbaum’s family members from Latrobe keep in touch with Mrs. Badaracco, she said, "to find out what’s going on."

"The Felbaum family is very, very upset and they’re scared to death," she said.