An Albrightsville woman, who was found hoarding over two dozen cats in her home, was placed in Carbon County’s Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition probation program on Tuesday.

She was one of four first-time offenders placed in the program by Judge Steven R. Serfass.

Cats removed

Camille Denise Osborne, 49, was charged with nine counts of neglect of animals by state police at Fern Ridge.

According to troopers, an Indian Mountain Lake security guard reported he saw about 40 cats inside the house. The guard said there was an inch of cat feces on the floor and ambulance crews had to put down cardboard in order to get in and out of the house.

Troopers contacted Osborne, who was hospitalized at the time. She reportedly told them that she thought a home health aide was feeding and watching the cats while she was unable to.

After attempting to locate friends or family to take care of the cats, the trooper obtained a search warrant to remove the cats from the home. The searches were conducted by Animal Control Officer Donna Crum and two workers from local animal rescues. Over the course of five days they trapped and removed more than two dozen cats.

The cats were treated by veterinarians from Rush Veterinary Urgent Care and Mountain Valley Clinic. They were transported to Carbon County Friends of Animals, Cat Shack, the Sanctuary of Haafsville, Red Rock Rescue, Paws to Freedom and Blue Mountain Animal Rescue Society.

Assistant District Attorney Brian B. Gazo, said the district attorney’s office agreed to the ARD placement because it felt Osborne thought the cats were going to be taken care of. He said Osborne’s actions making sure of the care of the cats was not what one would expect but that the DA felt the placement was a fair resolution.

Osborne faces a big restitution bill from veterinarians and outside groups who took some of cats for care.

Serfass placed her for two years and ordered she pay an assessment fee of $650 for the cost of the program and that she not possess any domestic animals during the length of her placement. He also ordered her to pay restitution to five groups totaling $6,164.40.

Other placements

Dominguez Rafael Barranco, 20, of Allentown, was placed for a year on a charge of possession of marijuana. He was charged by Nesquehoning police for an incident on Feb. 12.

He was assessed $450 and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment and render 50 hours of community service.

Elvis Rumardo, 39, of Bronx, New York was placed for two years on drug charges including a felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance - marijuana. He was arrested on Jan. 22 by Nesquehoning police following a traffic stop.

He was assessed $450 and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 75 hours of community service.

Laura Simmons, 31, of Jim Thorpe, was placed for a year on a charge of statement under penalty for an incident on Oct. 7, 2020, filed by Jim Thorpe police.

She was assessed $450 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service.

Each defendant must also pay court costs of about $1,000 and a $50 per month supervision fee while in the program.