Hunter
01/26/25
A Muscatine County resident who was charged in June after a search of her mobile home found her hoarding and neglecting dozens of animals has been additionally charged for violating her conditions of release.
The Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office learned that over the past few months, 44-year-old Kelly Adams of Muscatine had moved to a new residence and new animals were acquired or living with her, a violation of her pre-trial release. A search warrant was conducted on December 13th and 23 animals, including dogs, cats, a bird, geckos, snakes and bearded dragons, were seized. Some of the animals were reportedly owned by Adams, with the others in the care of 19-year-old Dominic Adams and 18-year-old Madison Steele.
It’s alleged that during the execution of the search warrant, Adams concealed a puppy on or about her person and removed it from her residence. Another search warrant was executed on December 20th, and the puppy was seized.
On December 27th the court found all three liable for all fees for the care and maintenance of the seized animals, along with court costs and other fees, totaling nearly $7800.
On Friday, Kelly Adams was charged with three counts of animal neglect causing injury and one count of obstructing prosecution. Dominic Adams and Steele were charged with four counts of animal neglect causing serious injury or death. With these charges, Kelly Adams faces up to five years in prison, while Dominic Adams and Madison Steele could be sentenced to up to eight years in prison.
Kelly Adams already faces over 17 years in prison if convicted on the original six charges of animal neglect causing serious injury or death and 63 counts of animal neglect.