OWEN COUNTY — The owner of SuPaca Farms in Gosport has pleaded not guilty to charges after 28 dead alpacas were found on the property earlier this year.
Sue Childers, 77, of Indianapolis faces charges of cruelty to an animal and failure to properly dispose of a dead animal.
According to an affidavit, a necropsy found that one of the alpacas named Harriet was emaciated.
Deputies say other animals were in poor health and severely malnourished. Seven alpacas, three llamas, nine dogs, three chickens, and two horses were seized from the property and taken to the Owen County Humane Society.
The affidavit says Childers told investigators she thought bobcats were killing and eating her alpacas but later thought they were poisoned.
"Sue advised that at some point during the summer/fall of 2021 she lost of large number other heard. She believed them to have been poisoned and stated that she came to that conclusion because the alpacas had died in a large group together," the affidavit read.
Childers also said that she stopped visiting the farm daily in February 2021 after getting COVID-19. She didn't start visiting again on a regular basis until the fall of 2021.
Childers is out on bond and she has pleaded not guilty, online court records show. A jury trial is scheduled for June 7.
-
Conner Prairie to host America 250 events, including Star Spangled Symphony
Friday and Saturday’s Fourth of July festivities include performances from the Symphony on the Prairie and many other activities to tell the history of the United States.
CarmelFest kicks off celebrating America's 250th, Carmel's 50th
CarmelFest 2026 kicked off Friday afternoon. This year’s celebration not only marks America’s 250th birthday but also the 50th anniversary of Carmel officially becoming a city.
A holiday heat advisory with storms possible
An Extreme Heat Warning expires at 8 PM EDT this evening. A Heat Advisory then goes in place through Saturday evening.
Pacers rookie Braden Smith excited to play in Pacers uniform for the first time
New Pacers second-round draft selection and former Purdue standout Braden Smith is set to play in a Pacers uniform for the first time when the NBA Summer League begins next week.
