A 47-year-old woman from Colorado has been charged with criminal negligence after her mother, who had dementia, was allegedly mauled to death by dogs in unsanitary conditions. Jessica Hoff was arrested on Friday following the death of her 76-year-old mother, LaVonne Hoff, which occurred when she was left unattended at their home.
- Woman charged after mother's dog attack
- Victim had dementia, needed constant care
- 54 dogs found in unsanitary conditions
- Jessica Hoff's court appearance scheduled
- Cause of death confirmed as dog attack
The incident took place on February 3 when deputies responded to a report of an unconscious woman. Upon arrival, they discovered LaVonne Hoff unresponsive and surrounded by several loose dogs inside the home. An investigation revealed that she had been left alone despite needing constant care due to her dementia.
The autopsy confirmed that the cause of death was a dog attack. Following this discovery, detectives executed search warrants at both the primary residence and another property owned by Jessica Hoff. They located a total of 54 dogs and seven birds living in unsanitary conditions; many of the animals were found to be in poor health.
- LaVonne Hoff was 76 years old at the time of her death.
- Jessica Hoff has been charged with one count of criminal negligence resulting in death.
- She faces an additional 54 counts related to animal cruelty.
Court records do not indicate whether Jessica Hoff has retained legal counsel as she is scheduled for a court appearance on Thursday. Currently, she remains in custody following her arrest on March 24.
This tragic case highlights critical issues surrounding elder care and responsible pet ownership. The circumstances leading to LaVonne Hoff’s death raise important questions about caregiver responsibilities and animal welfare enforcement.
