Antioch woman denies withholding theraputic dog from autistic child

An Antioch woman denied she intentionally withheld a runaway dog from an autistic child in hopes of getting a larger reward, authorities said.

Betty Peltier, 58, pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of theft in Lake County circuit court Thursday after she was accused of keeping a therapeutic Chihuahua named Peanut when she found the dog wandering near its Round Lake Beach home, Assistant States Attorney Lauren Walker said.

Peanut slipped out of its home and was reported missing by its family on June 21, Walker said, the same day Peanut was found by Peltier.

However, rather than immediately returning the dog, Walker said, Peltier held onto it until July 2 and routinely called the family and inquired about a reward.

The family called police and, when the reward was offered on July 2, Peltier called the family and made arrangements to drop off the dog.

Peltier was arrested at the Round Lake Beach home after dropping off Peanut, Walker said.

Peltier is due back in court Oct. 6 for a status update.