Woman accused of animal abuse at alleged pet rescue faces new theft charge

BEMIDJI — A Hines woman already accused of 10 felony counts of animal mistreatment was recently charged with felony theft.

According to court documents, Debra Marshall, 65, was running a purported pet rescue in northern Beltrami County.

The criminal complaint filed Wednesday, Feb. 19, reported a relative of Marshall was located inside her house when authorities executed a search warrant in December. Authorities were there to search because of suspicion of up to 200 cats and dogs missing from the home compared to previous welfare checks.

The relative was identified as a vulnerable adult who collects Social Security benefits. An adult protection worker asked for two years of banking history. Marshall apparently had power of attorney for the relative, but the complaint stated the document presented was never notarized by either party.

The investigation showed more than $1,000 in the victim’s account were improperly used.

"Specifically, the financial records show, among other things, a line of credit card advancement in the amount of approximately $1,500 to Debra Marshall’s bank account, as well as additional funds to an 'Elastic Line of Credit,' which Debra Marshall admitted was used to pay for her mother’s funeral," the complaint stated.

An investigation of bank records indicated the victim’s money was also used to pay for Marshall’s four-wheeler payment, pet expenses, car and mortgage payments and various credit card payments.

Marshall wrote to the court in December requesting the return of some of the animals placed on a veterinary hold by the Animal Humane Society, which assisted Beltrami County in the case. Marshall wrote that she and another defendant, Douglas Erickson, wanted some emotional support animals returned, with two dogs reportedly belonging to the vulnerable adult victim.

Marshall will make her next court appearance on both cases on March 13.