Betty Fuschel
KINGMAN – A local judge has issued another warrant for the arrest of an elderly animal hoarder who suffers mental health issues. Judge Doug Camacho did so on Friday, July 5, after Betty Fuschel, 78, failed to show up for her sentencing hearing at the Mohave County Law and Justice Center in Kingman.
The Dolan Springs woman cited transportation issues when she failed to attend her Feb. 2023, her pre-trial conference hearing last April. Judge Camacho issued arrest warrants on both occasions before quashing them after Fuschel subsequently demonstrated some level of compliance.
Fuschel was present when she pleaded guilty on May 21 to two counts reduced to attempted cruel mistreatment of animals. Her defense attorney could not explain her absence at the sentencing hearing where she was to be placed on probation and faced the possibility of some county jail time.
Deputy Mohave County Attorney Bob Moon noted that another arrest warrant has been issued from Kingman Justice Court where he said a new case and animal cruelty charges are pending against Fuschel.
Fuschel will face that lower court case and sentencing in her Superior Court matter once she is arrested or appears for legal proceedings.
Mohave County Animal Control Officers seized 46 dogs at two Fuschel rural residential properties on Jan. 11 and 12 in 2023. Authorities said a number of the animals were seriously dehydrated and malnourished.
From the onset, Fuschel claimed she was being persecuted. She’s been dogged by critics who have complained that Fuschel has a substantial animal hoarding history that extends to other communities and states.
Dave Hawkins
