Approximately two dozen horses were found dead and many more malnourished. Now the owner of those abused and neglected animals wants to get out of prison early.
She appeared before a Seminole County District Court judge Tuesday.
Carolyn Nicole Vaughn pleaded guilty to more than 60 counts of animal abuse and was sentenced to eight years in prison. After serving just over a year, she wants out to care for her sick mom.
In April 2013, investigators went to her home in rural Seminole County and found the dead and dying horses and all kinds of other animals. On the stand, she admitted she has an animal hoarding problem but reported she is getting mental health counseling in prison and would get specialized help for her condition if released.
However, she refused to take responsibility for the abuse, and so the judge decided not to let her out to take care of her mom.
“If the court is going to consider that, then it should also consider the opposing view," Seminole County Assistant District Attorney Paul Smith said. "The community outrage of this grizzly crime scene ... and all the suffering of the animals,”
Vaughn could still get out early. She testified that's what she's been told by the Department of Corrections. Earning credit for good behavior while incarcerated, she could be released as early as December.
Vaughn is no stranger to area law enforcement. Oklahoma records show her as a defendant in nine cases, including a dismissed parking violation in 2005, indebtedness in 2011, a civil suit to recoup more than $10,000 in damages in 2012, and other animal cruelty charges.
In January 2012 she was convicted on 59 counts of felony animal cruelty related to a puppy mill in Nowata County, Okla.
(KOCO Oklahoma City - Feb 17, 2015)
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