- Kansas, USA -
⚠️WARNING⚠️The article contains pictures some of you may find distressing⚠️
On October 4, 2024, 28-year-old CHARLES CORNELIUS SOLOMON (pictured), was sentenced in connection with a devastating case of severe animal neglect.
On the morning of January 30, 2024, acting on reports of animal abuse, officers with the Topeka Police Department executed a search warrant at a home on 1415 SW Fillmore Street.
Officials from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and animal welfare partners from across the country also responded to assist the Topeka Police Department.
Upon arrival, police officers made contact with the owners of the residence, SOLOMON and 30-year-old DESIREE ELAINE THERRIEN (also pictured).
Officials were then hit with a devastating scenario. Dozens of cats and dogs, a guinea pig, a rat, a wild bird, and a hawk were “found living in filthy, hazardous conditions throughout the debris-filled residence, with no apparent access to clean water” said the HSUS in a press release. HSUS said that among the dogs there were many Great Dane-type dogs.
A total of seventy-three (73) animals were rescued and sadly, eighteen (18) innocent animals were found deceased. More than ten (10) were discovered in the freezer and the remains of a chicken in a bathtub near the back of the property.
At the time, the HSUS said in a press release: “Veterinarians noted many of the dogs are severely underweight and that some of the animals appear to be suffering from eye, skin and upper respiratory issues, including a dog with several apparent untreated tumors in her skin.”
The Humane Society of the United States took the rescued furvictims to a confidential, safe location to be examined by licensed veterinarians and receive much-needed care.
As a result of this investigation, the Topeka Police Department arrested SOLOMON and THERRIEN and booked them into the Shawnee County Jail.
The Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office charged SOLOMON with twenty-six (26) counts of cruelty to animals; failing to provide care, while THERRIEN was charged with eight (8) counts of first-degree animal cruelty.
Midge Grinstead, Kansas state director for the Humane Society of the United States said: “Nothing can prepare you to see animals suffering in such terrible conditions. We are grateful to the Topeka Police Department and all the agencies working together to get these animals the help they need.”
On July 12, 2024, SOLOMON pleaded guilty to all twenty-six (26) counts of animal cruelty.
WIBW reports that SOLOMON has been sentenced to only one year behind bars at the Shawnee County Jail. He will receive one year for each count 2-26 running concurrent to one another. However, that was suspended to 24 months of supervised probation.
As for THERRIEN, she is still awaiting a trial for this case.
Ms. Peek with HSUS tells me that none of the rescued furvictims were euthanized and added: “We were able to place all of them with shelter and rescue partners, and last I checked in with those placement partners back in the spring, all were doing well and most had already been adopted.”
# # #
Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official documents provided to Voice For Us by the Topeka Police Department. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.
Mugshots provided to Voice For Us by the Topeka Police Department.
Pictures of the furvictims were all shared from the Humane Society of the United States
Video - Humane Society of the United States - Meet Lavender Haze and Midnight Rain – February 13, 2024
Comments