KNOXVILLE, Tenn — A former Knoxville pet sitter faces a four-year probation sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals.
Haylee Morris, 23, pleaded guilty to what's called an information, which is brought forward in lieu of review by a grand jury. She submitted her plea Nov. 21 in Knox County Criminal Court.
Judge Steve Sword accepted the plea and granted her request for judicial diversion. If she stays out of trouble after serving her term, she can have the case wiped from her record.
The animal abuse case, which authorities said involved dozens of animals in a Northwest Knox County home, came to light earlier this year. Morris had advertised her services as a pet sitter, leading some of her customers to complain about her poor or negligent care, WBIR has previously reported.
Some of her family members ended up being charged as well this year, and their cases were resolved in September.
In addition to the two felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, Morris pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor rabies vaccination count, records show.
As part of her punishment, Morris must pay $34,000 in restitution to Young-Williams Animal Center.
She also is barred for life from owning animals, records show. The same restriction was essentially applied to two other family members in September.
