Elgin woman needs $30,000 for care in neglect/cruelty case
Stacy Fiebelkorn must post $30,000 to cover some of the costs Kane County Animal Control has incurred, and will incur, for the first 30 days of care for the horses and donkeys it seized from her March 4 and 5, a Kane County judge ruled Thursday.
Fiebelkorn has five business days to post the cash security with the circuit court clerk. If she does not do so, she will forfeit the animals permanently, according to the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act.
Fiebelkorn, of Elgin, faces charges of neglect and of cruelty to animals. Kane County Animal Control seized more than 90 animals, after finding dead horses, donkeys, goats and poultry on two farms Fiebelkorn used in Maple Park and Hampshire.
On Wednesday, Fiebelkorn's attorney suggested $9,000 should be required. Prosecutors asked for $42,948.
Associate Judge Elizabeth Flood said she came up with the figure by allotting an average of $15 per animal per day for boarding, totaling $13,000; $3,000 for food; $9,500 for veterinary bills incurred through March 20; and $4,500 for expected veterinary bills. Veterinarians have been visiting all the animals every day, but Flood said there was no evidence presented as to why that is necessary, and said that visits every other day from now on seemed reasonable.
A substitute defense attorney also filed a motion Thursday to release the animals. It was unclear to whom the attorney wanted the animals released, and the paperwork was not available from the court clerk. Assistant state's attorney Danielle Curtiss declined to comment afterward, and the defense attorneys have not yet responded to a request for more information.
Fiebelkorn will be in court April 17 for a status hearing on the criminal charges and for Flood to consider the defense's request for a gag order on witnesses, investigators and prosecutors. Curtiss also intends to file a motion next week to ask for more money to take care of the animals starting April 4.