Credit: U.S. Marshals Service
A former Wrightstown Township farm operator accused of animal mistreatment has been released on nonmonetary bail after being returned to Bucks County from South America by federal authorities.
Abigail Tuttle O’Keeffe, 54, was preliminarily arraigned on Sunday, Sept. 20, on 149 charges, including aggravated cruelty to animals resulting in serious injury or death, and neglect of animals.
O’Keeffe, a former college professor, returned to the U.S. in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service after they picked her up in Belize.
The 54-year-old woman was arrested in Belize in April on an unrelated firearm possession charge, which led to her extradition, according to federal authorities.
The initial bail was set at 10 percent of $500,000 by on-call District Judge Gary Gambardella, and O’Keeffe was lodged at the Bucks County Correctional Facility.
At a bail reconsideration hearing last Wednesday, Bucks County Court of Common Pleas Judge James McMaster reduced bail to nonmonetary. She was ordered not to have or care for animals and to be put on a GPS monitor until trial.
Prosecutors had argued for her to remain behind bars.
“We objected and argued she should remain in custody,” said Manuel Gamiz Jr., the communications director for the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.
O’Keeffe’s defense attorney, Josh Buchanan, said his client looks forward to defending herself in court.
“Ms. O’Keeffe had no prior record, poses no threat to the citizens of Bucks County, and has agreed not to own or care for any animals while awaiting trial,” Buchanan said. “The court released Ms. O’Keeffe on a pre-trial supervision program and will remain part of that program until the charges are resolved.”
An investigation into O’Keeffe began in August 2024 by Bucks County SPCA police after concerned workers and volunteers alerted authorities to conditions at her farm on Worthington Mill Road.
A warrant for her arrest was filed by SPCA police in the final hours of 2024.
Officials said O’Keeffe refused direct contact with them but surrendered her animals from Narrow Way Farm to the Bucks County SPCA via text message on Aug. 7, 2024.
Police and animal rescue officials said several animals died at or due to issues related to the farm.
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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.
More than 100 animals were removed from the farm.
Some animals needed extensive veterinary care or euthanasia, while others were rehomed after receiving care.
Bucks County SPCA Police Chief Nikki Thompson called the case “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.”
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.
Back in Pennsylvania, O’Keeffe was handed over to the Newtown Township Police Department before coming before a district judge for her preliminary arraignment.
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.
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