Topekan woman Desiree Therrien, accused of keeping animals in squalor, back in prison

A Topeka woman accused of eight counts of animal cruelty was returned to jail Wednesday on charges of violating the conditions of her bail.

Desiree E. Therrien, 30, was booked into the Shawnee County Jail at 10:20 a.m. Wednesday, where she spent the afternoon, records show. Her next court appearance was scheduled for 9 a.m. Oct. 30.

Therrien was charged with a misdemeanor after 73 animals were rescued from her home at 1415 SW Fillmore on Jan. 30, where officers found the animals in neglected conditions.

The criminal complaint accuses Therrien of failing to provide six dogs and two cats with food, water, protection from the elements, opportunities for exercise, and other care necessary for their health and well-being.

Therrien's co-defendant in the case, 28-year-old Charles Solomon, pleaded guilty last month to 26 counts of animal cruelty in connection with the seizure of 26 dogs from the home. Solomon remained in jail Wednesday afternoon. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 5.

Court records show a confidential report filed by a court official on Aug. 16 alleging that Therrien violated the terms of the $15,000 bail she was released from jail on in February.

It was not clear what bail conditions Thiessen allegedly violated.

Court records show she was ordered to submit to random drug and alcohol testing, have no contact with her co-defendants, not own animals, not possess or use alcohol or illegal drugs, not possess weapons, not leave the county or state without court permission, and not operate a vehicle without a valid driver's license and insurance.

Here's what the affidavit says

After Topeka police received complaints in 2023 about the condition of the home where Solomon and Theirren lived, Solomon met with police at an off-site location in December and told them he kept 13 dogs and six cats there.

Police asked officers to accompany him to his home, where they found Therrien, the couple's 2-year-old daughter, Therrien's mother, Sara Jane Therrien, and another man sitting on the porch, according to an affidavit. Solomon allowed officers to enter the home, where he dropped off a dog that he said had recently killed a cat.

Later that month, Solomon surrendered four more dogs, the affidavit states. The animals showed signs of neglect and lack of socialization.

Animal control then decided to confiscate all of the animals and contacted the Humane Society of the United States for assistance. The confiscation took place on January 30th.

Topeka police found 18 dead animals. Inside the house were dogs, cats, a guinea pig, a rat, a wild bird and a hawk, as well as a dead chicken in a bathtub.

The Humane Society of the United States said it had rescued a total of 70 dogs and cats “living in deplorable conditions, with floors and walls covered with layers of dirt and feces, and apparently without access to clean water.”

The organization released a video showing the conditions in which the dogs were kept.

The couple's two-year-old daughter remained in the care of her “legal guardian,” a Topeka police spokeswoman told the Capital Journal, without revealing the identity of the guardian.

Miami County officials said earlier this year they were investigating a possible connection between Solomon, Therrien and animal neglect allegations there, but as of Wednesday, no record could be found of criminal charges being filed against either of them in that county.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at [email protected] or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared in the Topeka Capital-Journal: Topekan charged with animal cruelty, allegedly violates bail conditions