NICOLE DANIELLE STEPHENS arrested after her dog was found deceased tethered to a tree and infested with fleas

- Florida, USA -

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office arrested 42-year-old NICOLE DANIELLE STEPHENS (pictured).

According to the affidavit provided to Voice For Us by the sheriff’s office, on April 23, 2026, Animal Enforcement Officer Scott responded to STEPHENS’ home in the 4000 block of Poinsettia Avenue in Mount Dora to conduct a welfare check on a dog on the property.

When AEO Scott made contact with STEPHENS, she said the dog was tethered in the backyard due to the dog frequently escaping.

AEO Scott reported that when she went into the backyard, she found the dog, lifeless, “tethered to a large oak tree.”

According to the affidavit, “The tether did not appear tangled or positioned in a manner consistent with strangulation or accidental restraint. AEO Scott observed no obvious external traumatic injuries that would immediately explain the cause of death.”

AEO Scott documented “a substantial flea infestation on both the canine and throughout the surrounding area.”

The affidavit stated that STEPHENS told AEO Scott that the dog had not eaten for approximately two days, and that she last saw him alive the previous evening.

STEPHENS voluntarily surrendered the furvictim who was then taken to the Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory at the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine for a forensic necropsy.

It was determined that the dog was an adult, castrated male mixed-breed weighing approximately 36.4 kg. Necropsy results revealed that the furvictim was “underweight with decreased musculature, most notably over the shoulders, epaxial musculature, and hips, consistent with chronic physical decline."

The necropsy revealed a severe flea infestation involving thousands of live fleas covering the body. Per affidavit: “Significant accumulation of flea excrement were present throughout the fur. The infestation was so extensive that live fleas actively bit the forensic pathologist during the examination.”

Sadly the flea infestation was not the only issue. In fact, the affidavit stated that the poor dog exhibited chronic untreated dermatologic disease, particularly affecting both ears, including ulceration, thickened tissue, crusting, and secondary bacterial infection.

Additionally, the findings of internal examinations were consistent with chronic blood loss and severe iron-deficiency anemia. Pathologists concluded the findings were directly attributable to prolonged blood loss caused by the severe flea infestation.

Ultimately, the cause of death was determined to be complications associated with severe flea infestation and concurrent iron-deficiency anemia.

As Lake County Sheriff's Office Detective Cline wrote in the affidavit, “The canine's medical conditions were not sudden or acute in nature. Rather, they developed over and extended period and would have been readily observable to any reasonable caretaker." Detective Cline rightfully added: “A reasonable caretaker would have recognized these obvious signs of distress and sought veterinary care or corrective action.” Detective Cline concluded: “Failure to do so created a foreseeable and unjustifiable risk of serious bodily harm and death.”

Detective Cline found probable cause to believe that STEPHENS “failed to provide necessary care and medical intervention despite obvious signs of distress, illness, and physical deterioration. This failure allowed the animal to suffer prolonged, excessive, and repeated unnecessary pain and suffering, ultimately resulting in death.”

STEPHENS was arrested on June 24, 2026, and charged with one felony count of cruelty to animals. She was booked into the Lake County Jail and released after posting a $2,000 bond. Court records show her arraignment is set for July 20, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the affidavit provided to Voice For Us by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

Mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

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