BRADY TWP., Pa. (EYT) — A Rimersburg woman who allegedly severely neglected a horse waived her preliminary hearing in court on Tuesday.

According to court documents, the following charges against 37-year-old Heather Violia Chadwell, of Rimersburg, were waived for court on Tuesday, April 23:

– Aggravated Cruelty to Animals — Torture, Felony 3
– Neglect of Animals — Vet Care, Misdemeanor 3
– Cruelty to Animals, Summary

The charges have been transferred to the Clarion County Court of Common Pleas.

She remains free on $5,000.00 unsecured bail.

Details of the case:

According to a criminal complaint, on March 4, Trooper Reilly, of the Clarion-based State Police, received a report from Trooper King regarding an aggravated cruelty to animals case that occurred at a location on Phillipston Road in Brady Township, Clarion County.

Trooper King related that the owner of a horse called Junior sold him, but had to take him back months later. Trooper King noted that from September 28, 2018, until January 29, 2019, Junior belonged to Heather Chadwell.

According to the complaint, Trooper King related that during the period that he belonged to Chadwell, Junior lost more than half of his body weight and developed severe frostbite on his penis.

The complaint notes that an interview was conducted, and it was found that Chadwell never contacted or attempted to contact a veterinarian for Junior.

Trooper Reilly traveled to the address that Junior had been kept, and he observed a small carport with the roof falling in that was used as a shelter. Chadwell had multiple other horses that would have used the same shelter area in which not all of them would fit, according to the complaint.

Chadwell was arraigned on Monday, April 1, at 11:00 a.m. in front of Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey C. Miller.