Dog and elder neglect - 3 dogs found dead - Elizabethton, TN

Thursday, Feb 3, 2005

County: Carter

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» Connie Ann Morrison
» Rachael Elizabeth Morrison
» Joseph Daniel Morrison - Convicted

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Three county residents were arrested Feb 3 after a phone call led police to a home on reports of animal cruelty. Police discovered not only malnourished and deceased animals but also an elderly woman reportedly the victim of neglect.

Connie Ann Morrison, 41, of Blue Springs Road, and her daughter, Rachael Elizabeth Morrison, 19, of the same address, were arrested and charged with willful abuse or gross neglect and two counts each of animal cruelty. Joseph Daniel Morrison, 18, of Danberry Hill Road, was charged with two counts of animal cruelty. Information from police reports did not indicate whether Joseph Morrison is any relation to either Connie or Rachael Morrison.

According to reports, officers were dispatched to the residence at approximately 10:40 a.m. Thursday on a complaint of dead dogs lying in the yard. "Upon arrival I observed three dead dogs lying beside the residence. One animal appeared to have been eaten," states Carter County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Penny Cornett in her report on the incident. "I also noticed four other animals on the property that appeared to be skinny and lacking food and water. One of the animals was chained to some bushes and was unable to move."

Cornett reports she spoke to the owners of the animals, who were identified at that time as Connie Morrison, Rachael Morrison and Joseph Morrison, about their condition. "Rachael Morrison stated that the dead animals were infected with the Parvo virus and died. She stated that she hasn't had time to bury them," Cornett said. "I then went to the sheriff's department and notified animal control and went back to the residence to seize the animals. Myself along with Deputy (Michael) Carlock, Deputy (Brad) Hamm and Deputy (Loretta) Cloyd went to the residence and documented and took pictures of the animals and environment."

While Cornett and the other deputies were on the scene documenting the condition of the animals, they found an elderly woman in poor health. "While we were there we found an 87-year-old woman identified as Sofie Bowers in the residence. Ms. Bowers complained that she wasn't feeling well and was weak," Cornett states in her report. "I then called the Carter County Rescue Squad and they transported (Bowers) to Sycamore Shoals (Hospital)." Bowers was admitted to the hospital for treatment.

"Ms. Bowers was supposed to be taken care of by her granddaughter -- Rachael Morrison -- and her daughter -- Connie Morrison -- of the home," Cornett said. "When I asked about Ms. Bowers' health, Connie stated that the last time she had seen a doctor was about three months ago and they were giving her over-the-counter cough medicine. I inspected the bottle of medicine and found it to be empty."

Cornett reports the residence was unfit for living. "The residence was covered in feces from cats and dogs. No food was found in the refrigerator and only a small path was open to walk through the residence because of the trash and clothing lying everywhere," Cornett states in her report. "Due to the conditions of the residence and lack of medical care, both Rachael and Connie Morrison were charged with willful physical abuse or gross neglect."

Cornett also found two other animals that were victims of animal cruelty. "There were also two cats inside the residence that were skinny," Cornett states in her report. "Rachael began feeding the animals while we were there and the cats were so hungry that they bit her while she was opening the can. The animals were taken for their health and safety."

Four dogs and two cats were removed from the residence for their health and safety. Rachael Morrison, Connie Morrison and Joseph Morrison were each charged with two counts of animal cruelty to animals they stated they owned. The three are scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court March 1.

Case Updates

Joseph Daniel Morrison, 18, 108 Dan Berry Hill Road, was arrested on Feb. 3 and charged with two counts of animal cruelty. On Monday, he pled guilty to both charges and for each count was fined $25, ordered to pay court costs, sentenced to 11 months and 29 days in jail which was suspended, and given 11 months and 29 days of probation with Cross-Roads. Connie Morrison and Rachael Morrison are next scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court on March 28.

Source: The Elizabethton Star - March 10, 2005 Update posted on Mar 14, 2005 - 12:49AM

References

• « TN State Animal Cruelty Map
  « More cases in Carter County, TN

  Note: Classifications and other fields should not be used to determine what specific charges the suspect is facing or was convicted of - they are for research and statistical purposes only. The case report and subsequent updates outline the specific charges. Charges referenced in the original case report may be modified throughout the course of the investigation or trial, so case updates, when available, should always be considered the most accurate reflection of charges.
  
  For more information regarding classifications and usage of this database, please visit the database notes and disclaimer.