Two Kentuckians in trouble after baby sea turtles found in hotel room

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WTVQ) – Two Kentuckians are facing fines for having six baby loggerhead sea turtles in their Georgia hotel room.

A hotel housekeeper found the baby turtles in a trash can Tuesday.

According to the Savannah Morning News, police and wildlife officials questioned the Kentucky couple who had rented the room, 42-year-old Michael House and 23-year-old Danielle Tosh.

The newspaper says House initially told the officers he found the six turtles in front of the hotel but then admitted he and Tosh scooped up the turtles from the beach.

House says the two were drunk at the time of the incident, according to the newspaper.

Five of the turtles were freed early Wednesday on the beach at Tybee Island.

One of the animals remains at the Tybee Island Marine Science Center, which can raise the turtle until age 2.

Loggerheads are protected under the Endangered Species Act, and even touching one can result in a fine of as much as $10,500.