Illinois: update on winter case.

Case dates back to January.

Woman Pleads Guilty To Starving Horses [link]
NBC5.com | Aug 13, 2008

Woman Claims She Told Someone To Feed Animals

A woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to letting four horses starve last winter on a Manhattan farm. Will County Judge Richard Schoenstedt scheduled Sonia Herrera's sentencing hearing for Oct. 28. Her punishment could range from 30 months of probation to three years in prison. Herrera, 32, of West Old Kerry Road in Channahon, was arrested in January and has been charged with four counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, cruel treatment of an animal and failing to properly dispose of animal remains. At that time, Herrera and her husband owned a farm on Sweedler Road in Manhattan. The couple were divorcing, and Herrera moved away.

Earlier that month, a Will County detective went to the farm and found three dead horses in a small fenced area. Five thin horses were housed in a barn with a muddy floor and without bedding. One other horse found on the property was owned by someone else. That horse was well-fed. Authorities then gave Herrera several days to feed and take care of her animals, but she didn't do anything, Will County Assistant State's Attorney Nicole Moore said. Although Herrera asked someone to take care of her horses, she never gave that person any food to feed them, Moore said. Before he allowed Herrera to plead guilty, the judge made sure that she understood the proceedings. Although the state agreed to dismiss the charges of cruel treatment of an animal and failing to properly dispose of animal remains, Herrera made a "blind plea"—meaning that the state won't recommend any particular punishment to the judge.

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