California Woman Accused of Burglary & Killing Cat

(Santa Maria, California) A 43-year-old local woman, Nellie Marie Palacios, has been accused of burglary of ex-boyfriend's home and animal cruelty for killing a housecat.

Palacios faces counts of burglary and animal cruelty.

Deputies responded to the home in the 4600 block of Hummel Drive in Orcutt around 3:30 p.m. after a man called authorities to report that his girlfriend, Nellie Marie Palacios, had gone into the home that she said belonged to her cousin and began removing paintings off the walls.

Palacios was detained in the yard after deputies arrived. Deputies then found the cat nearby in an igloo-style doghouse with fatal stab wounds.

The knife used in the alleged attack was located under the doghouse covered with blood and cat hair, according to the sheriff’s office.

Palacios was booked into custody at the Santa Barbara County Jail with bail set at $50,000.