The trouble at Narrow Way Farm has grown as police uncovered suspected drugs during their ongoing investigation into the farm’s operations and animal welfare.
According to NewtownPANow.com‘s review of the search warrants executed last week, investigators seized 73 pounds of suspected marijuana, a jar of suspected THC or CBD oil, and firearms from the property located in the 800 block of Worthington Mill Road in Wrightstown Township.
The discovery came after farm owner Abigail Tuttle O’Keeffe, who left for Belize in Central America on July 20 and later announced on social media she was staying there, was being investigated for potential animal neglect involving 124 animals left in the care of two employees and volunteers.
The animals, including some that died, were removed from the farm last week by Bucks County SPCA police, animal control officers from nearby towns, and animal advocates.
After the investigation by the SPCA police ramped up, Tuttle O’Keeffe gave up ownership of the animals to the SPCA for rehoming.
Besides the drug-related items listed in court papers, police reported unsecured firearms in the home, including six in a laundry room gun safe.
Officers also found 15 bags of a substance resembling marijuana in the attic and more in the dining room, along with a mason jar labeled “$80” suspected to contain THC or CBD oil, police said.
Tuttle O’Keeffe, who acquired the 36-acre farm with her now ex-husband in 2017, had advertised CBD products on the farm’s Facebook group. However, the search warrant indicated she is not licensed to grow or sell CBD or THC products.
The Bucks County SPCA, assisted by Newtown Township police, who patrol Wrightstown Township, originally visited the farm on August 5 to probe allegations of cruelty and neglect.
While some animals appeared in good condition initially, a former farmhand revealed photos showing others in distress, including goats and a sheep with mobility issues, police said.
The farm manager reportedly sought veterinary care, but they were told by Tuttle O’Keeffe to continue using over-the-counter treatments despite the animals’ worsening conditions, police said.
Several animals, including sheep, died after not getting further care, police wrote in a search warrant.
Experts and veterinarians who looked at the animals found issues ranging from heavy parasitic loads leading to fatalities, to malnutrition and preventable diseases among the remaining animals, police said.
The SPCA reported recovering chickens, steer, pigs, goats, and sheep from the farm.
The Bucks County SPCA called the case one of the “largest farm animal cruelty and neglect in collective memory.”
The farm was known for engaging public events like goat yoga and had a lively Facebook group, which included updates from Tuttle O’Keeffe.
The farm store has previously been advertised as selling grass-fed meat, raw milk, and goat cheese.
The Bucks County Courier Times reported last week that Narrow Way Farm was not permitted to sell raw milk the state as of May 31, a Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture spokesperson said.
The Bucks County Health Department visited the farm store last week to inspect it, a county spokesperson said.
People who had visited the farm over the years said conditions deteriorated over the past year and it appeared to become less organized.
Two people who know Tuttle O’Keeffe, a former college professor, said she had become paranoid over the past year and felt the government was coming to get her.
Authorities have not charged Tuttle O’Keeffe with any crimes as of Monday.
Tuttle O’Keeffe did not respond to requests for comment.
The Bucks County SPCA was working as of last week to adopt out animals and accepts donations online.
