A former Wrightstown Township woman wanted for animal cruelty charges was extradited from Belize last week to face charges related to what authorities have called the largest farm animal cruelty case in county history.
Abigail Tuttle O’Keeffe, 54, was preliminarily arraigned early Saturday morning on 149 charges, including aggravated cruelty to animals resulting in serious injury or death, and neglect of animals.
O’Keeffe was arrested in Belize on an unrelated firearm possession charge in April, which led to her extradition late last week, according to federal authorities.
O’Keeffe was wanted by Bucks County SPCA police after an investigation began in August 2024. A warrant for her arrest was filed in the final hours of 2024.
Authorities were alerted to the conditions at O’Keeffe’s farm on Worthington Mill Road by concerned workers and volunteers last summer.
After refusing direct contact with authorities, O’Keeffe surrendered her animals from Narrow Way Farm to the Bucks County SPCA via text message on Aug. 7, 2024, authorities said.
Several animals died at or due to issues related to the farm, police and animal rescue officials said.
Investigators reportedly found a makeshift composting site with decaying animal carcasses and discovered that animals, including chickens, steer, pigs, goats, and sheep, were suffering from issues, like malnutrition and heavy parasitic loads.
Authorities said the animals were fed substandard by-products and were not given veterinary care.
According to Bucks County SPCA Police Chief Nikki Thompson, the case was “exceptional” due to “the number of animals, severity of their suffering, and the interagency cooperation required to bring Ms. O’Keeffe back to the United States.”
“While the U.S. Marshals Service remains steadfast in its mission to capture violent fugitives, after learning of the heinous animal cruelty allegations against Ms. O’Keeffe, we were pleased to assist the Bucks County D.A.’s Office in facilitating her extradition from Belize,” said Eric Gartner, U.S. marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
The U.S. Marshals Service and Bucks County District Attorney’s Office coordinated O’Keeffe’s return with multiple agencies, including officials in Belize, the U.S. Department of State, Bucks County Sheriff’s Office, and INTERPOL Washington.
Members of the U.S. Marshals Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force took custody of O’Keeffe in Belmopan, Belize, and transported her to Philadelphia last week, officials said.
Once in Pennsylvania, O’Keeffe was handed over to the Newtown Township Police Department before coming before a district judge.
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As of Monday, O’Keeffe was being held in the Bucks County Correctional Facility on 10 percent of $500,000 bail.
O’Keeffe had reportedly left for Belize on July 20, 2024, before any charges were filed and before law enforcement was involved in the farm she left behind.
After news of the case became public, a humane society in Belize warned residents about O’Keeffe.
More than 100 animals were removed from the farm. Some required extensive veterinary care or euthanasia. Others were rehomed after receiving care.
According to search warrants filed by Newtown Township police, investigators also found suspected marijuana, THC or CBD oil, and firearms on the property, but the charges filed against O’Keeffe do not reflect the items reportedly found.
O’Keeffe’s farm has been known for public events, including goat yoga, and for marketing itself as selling grass-fed meat, raw milk, and goat cheese.
The farm store has previously been advertised as selling grass-fed meat, raw milk, and goat cheese.
The Bucks County Courier Times reported last year that Narrow Way Farm was not permitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to sell raw milk the state.
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.
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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