Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
The operator of the Wrightstown Township farm where Bucks County SPCA and Newtown Township police allegedly discovered poor conditions last summer is being sought.
An arrest warrant for Abigail Tuttle O’Keeffe, 53, was filed in the waning hours of 2024, according to court records reviewed by NewtownPANow.com.
O’Keeffe’s warrant is for 149 counts, including aggravated cruelty to animals – causing serious injury and death and neglect of animals.
O’Keeffe, who reportedly left for Belize in Central America on July 20, 2024, and later announced on social media she would remain there, was not in custody as of Tuesday.
Cindy Kelly, an SPCA spokesperson, said the organization is unsure if O’Keeffe is back in the U.S.
Several animals died at or due to issues related to the farm on Worthington Mill Road, police and animal rescue officials said last year.
Experts and veterinarians who looked at the animals found issues ranging from heavy parasitic loads to malnutrition among the animals, authorities said.
The SPCA reported recovering chickens, steer, pigs, goats, and sheep from the farm.
The investigation began on the evening of Aug. 4, 2024, when authorities were alerted that O’Keeffe, the owner of the farm, had left the country and had abandoned animals in poor conditions, SPCA police Chief Nikki Thompson wrote in court papers.
Following the discovery of a deceased sheep and other distressed animals, a search warrant was issued and executed over the following days, according to court papers.
Investigators said they found a young La Mancha goat in bad condition and numerous animals suffering from malnutrition and untreated infections in summer.
Despite efforts to save the goat using dextrose and de-worming medications, it died shortly after discovery, police said.
In addition to goats, other animals, including pigs, cows, sheep, and chickens, were also found to be in poor health with various ailments, which included foot scald, lameness, and severe anemia, police said.
The farm staffer and volunteers at Narrow Way Farm reported to investigators that there were concerns about the condition of the animals, including recent animal deaths.
Investigators discovered that the animals had been fed a substandard milling by-product and had been treated only with over-the-counter deworming medications, without veterinary oversight, police said.
A makeshift composting site containing decaying animal carcasses was also found on the property, police said.
After refusing direct communication with authorities, O’Keeffe surrendered all animals to the Bucks County SPCA via text message on Aug. 7, 2024.
The animals were immediately transported for medical examinations conducted by veterinarians from Quakertown Veterinary Clinic and the SPCA’s medical team, authorities said.
Preliminary findings revealed widespread health issues among the animals, police said.
In court papers, it was noted that some animals needed extensive veterinary care and, in some cases, euthanasia, police said.
Search warrants filed last year by Newtown Township police, who patrol Wrightstown Township, noted that investigators found 73 pounds of suspected marijuana, a jar of suspected THC or CBD oil, and firearms on the property.
None of the charges filed this week reflect the reported findings by Newtown Township authorities.
More than 100 animals were removed from the farm and some were rehomed after receiving care.
“The Bucks County SPCA is eager to see justice served on behalf of the animals from Narrow Way Farm who suffered because of their owner’s failure to provide for clean safe housing, proper food, and basic veterinary care. We are pleased that most of the animals have since been re-homed with owners who are committed to continuing their care and that they will no longer live in fear and want. The sickest animals will remain in the care of the BCSPCA and continue to receive medical treatment until they make full recoveries and can also be re-homed,” said Kelly, the SPCA spokesperson.
After news of O’Keeffe’s issues in Bucks County broke in August, a humane society in Belize warned residents about O’Keeffe and urged them to stay away from her after she started posting in local farming groups.
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
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