SANTA NELLA — A welfare check turned into a harrowing discovery on June 29 when a Merced County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to reports of cats in distress inside a U-Haul van parked at the Taco Bell in Santa Nella. What began as a routine call quickly escalated into a large-scale animal cruelty investigation.

Peering through the van’s window, Deputy Ross saw at least 20 visibly emaciated cats. Animal Control Officers Rafferty and Pacheco were immediately dispatched and uncovered a heartbreaking scene: 106 severely malnourished cats packed inside the vehicle, alongside 28 deceased cats. Authorities confirmed there was no food or water inside the van, and temperatures inside had reached dangerous levels.

The cats, ranging from one week to eight years old, were rushed to the Merced County Animal Shelter. The Atwater Veterinary Center was called in to provide urgent medical care.

The van’s driver, 69-year-old Jeannie Maxon of Long Beach, was arrested at the scene and later booked into Merced County Jail on 93 counts of animal cruelty.

The case remains under investigation, with authorities working to determine how long the animals had been confined and under what circumstances.

Sheriff’s officials also issued a summer safety reminder, warning against leaving animals in vehicles during hot weather. Temperatures inside a car can spike dramatically in minutes, even with windows cracked — often resulting in heatstroke, dehydration, or worse.

The cats will be put up for adoption but first the sheriff’s office has to hold a seizure hearing and then a 14-day hold is placed on the cats. They have to be medically cleared as well.

“Once the cats are healthy enough to be adopted, they will be posted on the Merced County Animal Shelter’s webpage, as well as on the Merced Sheriff’s Animal Services’ social media platforms,” the sheriff’s office stated.