TWILA EIMI GUZMAN arrested and accused of starving and neglecting horses

3 hours ago3 min read

- Florida, USA -

Following an investigation launched in December 2024, into a complaint regarding a thin horse, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office arrested 57-year-old TWILA EIMI GUZMAN (pictured), on February 27, 2025.

According to a press release by the sheriff’s office, back in December a deputy responded to a property on 6190 Winning Wood Trail in DeLeon Springs, after receiving a complaint regarding a thin horse on the property.

Upon arrival, the deputy saw a 26-year-old sorrel horse named Kash who was in “poor shape.” The deputy spoke with GUZMAN and she told the deputy that she was working to get medical care for Kash.

As deputies continued to monitor the situation, they learned that GUZMAN had scheduled for Kash to be seen by a dentist on January 16, 2025, and that she had canceled the appointment the day before. GUZMAN’s reason for cancelling the appointment was due to the fact that Kash’s condition had rapidly declined and she did not think it was a good idea to let the dentist work on him.

A deputy was able to meet with GUZMAN on January 29, 2025, to check on Kash’s condition and determined that it had not improved.

The following day, deputies with the VSO Agriculture Crimes Unit removed Kash and a white pony named Candy from a property on 1994 Cemetery Road in Seville, and from a property in Pierson deputies rescued a white horse named Marshmallow.

The three Voiceless Victims were taken to a rescue facility where a veterinarian completed an assessment on each one.

According to the press release, the vet reported that Marshmallow’s hooves appeared to be overgrown, and that he/she also had an “abnormal breathing rhythm.”

Candy’s evaluation showed that her spine, ribs, and hip bones were visible through her skin even with an abundance of fur. Candy was seen laying on the ground multiple times when she arrived at the facility for unknown reasons. The veterinarian noted Candy had an abnormally slow heart rate and abnormal breathing in her lungs.

As for Kash, just like Candy, his spine, hip, and rib bones were also clearly visible through the skin. His hooves appeared to be overgrown and in need of a trim. Additionally, the vet reported that Kash had “visible signs of thrush, a bacterial infection that occurs on the hoof of a horse.” Kash was found to be in “extremely poor condition with multiple abscesses through his hooves” and the vet said, “his life expectancy was very grim.”

On February 7, 2025, GUZMAN told deputies she did not wish to surrender her animals to the sheriff’s office.

As the investigation progressed, deputies determined that GUZMAN failed to provide basic care for the animals and a warrant was issued for her arrest.

GUZMAN was arrested on two felony counts of cruelty to animals and three counts of unlawful confinement/abandonment of animals without sufficient food or water. She was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail and released after posting bond.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

GUZMAN’s mugshot shared from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office

Pictures are still images of the video published by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office