Second suspect in Warren animal neglect case turns herself in

Baby

The second suspect charged in connection with the neglect of a dog found in severe distress in a Warren home turned herself in to the authorities on Monday and was arraigned in Warren Municipal Court.

Stephanie J. Swegan, 53, of Warren, appeared before a judge on Monday morning on a felony charge of prohibitions concerning companion animals. Court records indicate she pleaded not guilty.

A bond of $25,000 was set, with the condition that Swegan is prohibited from owning, harboring, or possessing any animals.

The charge against Swegan stems from the discovery of a dog at a home on Oak Knoll Avenue SE. The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project, a local animal welfare organization, reported the dog, later named "Baby," was found chained in a basement and in critical condition. The organization said Baby was emaciated, dehydrated, and suffering from a ruptured abdominal mass. Due to the severity of its condition, the dog was later euthanized.

Baby and Thomas Leimkuehler  

Swegan and Thomas R. Leimkuehler, 43, also of Warren, reside at the Oak Knoll Avenue home. Leimkuehler was arraigned last week on the same felony charge and also pleaded not guilty. He was released on bond with a similar condition prohibiting him from possessing animals.

Leimkuehler had initially faced a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge, which was later dismissed.

Court records show Swegan’s next court hearing is on June 12 at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Patricia Knepp.

The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project is asking for donations to support their efforts in assisting animals in need. The post provided several methods for contributing, including direct donations through Venmo (@HealthyHeartsPaws), PayPal (donations@healthyheartsproject.org), CashApp ($HealthyHeartsPaws), credit or debit card via phone (234.855.5847), and checks mailed to or dropped off at their Warren location on Martin Luther King Blvd.

The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project describes its mission as promoting animal welfare through education and providing care for medically needy dogs and cats.