'House of Horrors' animal abuse suspect indicted on fraud charges: MCAO
CHANDLER, Ariz. - A Chandler woman at the center of an animal abuse investigation has been indicted by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office on fraud charges, police said.
Last year, police seized multiple dogs at April McLaughlin's home where she had been operating a rescue organization called the "Special Needs Animal Welfare League."
On Sept. 30, police announced that McLaughlin had been indicted on multiple fraud and theft charges.
Investigators say McLaughlin used the rescue to solicit nearly $50,000 in donations without providing services to the dogs.
"Detectives also uncovered that she had stolen more than $160,000 from her elderly mother's bank account and racked up over $20,000 in charges on her mother’s credit card," police said. "These funds were reportedly used for personal expenses, including home costs, flights, and dining."
McLaughlin is in police custody.
'House of Horrors': April McLaughlin arrested again after animal abuse charges were resubmitted to MCAO
The woman at the center of the so-called 'House of Horrors' animal abuse case has been arrested again. The arrest came months after charges against April McLaughlin were resubmitted to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for review.