CHANDLER, Ariz. — The Chandler woman accused of neglecting and mistreating over 50 dogs has now been indicted on fraud charges in addition to the felony animal and vulnerable adult abuse charges she was already facing.
In September of 2023, Chandler police seized dozens of dogs from the home of 48-year-old Sydney McKinley, also known as April McLaughlin.
Officers allegedly found the animals living in terrible conditions. Some of the seized dogs later had to be euthanized because of poor health.
"Animal abuse is a very significant crime and we take it very seriously," Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said during a press conference on Monday.
McLaughlin is accused of deceiving dog owners and rescue groups across the country to take possession of special needs dogs. Police now say her rescue organization, Special Needs Animal Welfare League, was used to solicit over $47,000 in cash and supplies under false pretenses as well as acquiring more animals.
Investigators claim that she also stole over $160,000 from her elderly mother's bank account and had over $20,000 in charges on her mother's credit card.
According to police, those funds were used for personal expenses like home costs, flights and dining.
According to the indictment, the alleged crimes are believed to have occurred between November 2021 and September 2023.
"We've always been working on this case. Months and months of work to bring forward these charges and justice for these victims," Mitchell said when questioned about the timeframe of the investigation.
Chandler Police Department Assistant Chief Dave Ramer acknowledged that the financial component of the case, as well as the time it took to speak with neighbors and dog owners, contributed to the length of the investigation.
"This was a horrific and horrible crime that took place," Ramer said.
McLaughlin has now also been indicted on felony charges of theft, identity theft, fraudulent schemes, willful concealment, theft using the power of attorney and credit card theft.
McLaughlin was already facing up to 24 counts of animal neglect and mistreatment — at least eight of the charges are listed as felony offenses, court records show. She is still in custody as legal proceedings continue.
That's in addition to the 77 criminal misdemeanor charges filed against McLaughlin in Chandler Municipal Court related to the case.
During the press conference, Chandler Police Chief Bryan Chapman thanked community partners and elected officials for strengthening local ordinances in response to the case.
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