On March 12, 2024, ELIZABETH JAIMES (pictured), appeared at Hillsborough County Circuit Court before Judge Mark Kiser and pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated animal cruelty with a weapon and six counts of aggravated animal cruelty.
Fox 13 Tampa Bay reports that JAIMES decided to plead guilty and skip the jury trial. She now faces at least five years in prison. Evidence of the horrendous abuse that JAIMES inflicted upon a defenseless 8-year-old dog named Maya was caught on video.
In court, Prosecutor Karri Ann Becker recounted the heartbreaking facts and said: “The defendant repeatedly struck Maya with a mallet approximately 38 times and kicked and slammed Maya and struck her furiously 26 times.”
The incident happened back in August 2022, at JAIMES’ boyfriend’s mother’s house on Halifax Drive in Tampa.
JAIMES’ sentencing hearing has been scheduled for May 10, 2024.
As for the Voiceless Victim, she continues to visit the vet for ongoing treatment and is still living with her guardian.
On May 1, 2023, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office received a call reporting an animal cruelty incident at a home in the 5000 block of Halifax Drive in Town ‘n’ Country.
Responding deputies were provided with footage from an in-home security camera which showed 24-years-old ELIZABETH JAIMES (pictured) holding a dog by the leash and repeatedly striking the furbaby with a rubber mallet on the head and torso.
According to an initial press release by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, the dog, a 9-year-old female Siberian Husky named Maya, was taken to the Veterinary Emergency Group where upon examination it was confirmed that she “had multiple blunt-force head and back injuries, including spine and rib fractures, and was blind in one eye.”
The sheriff’s office said that JAIMES was living in the home with her boyfriend and his mother, Maya’s guardian. Maya’s guardian told investigators that Maya suddenly started sustaining an inexplicable spate of injuries in August 2022, when JAIMES moved in. At the veterinarian’s request, Maya’s guardian installed a hidden camera in her home to see what was going on when she was not home. When Maya’s guardian reviewed the video, she realized that Maya’s injuries had been inflicted by JAIMES. In the gut-wrenching video released by the sheriff’s office, Maya can be heard yelping and crying in pain as JAIMES heartlessly and soullessly beats her time after time.
JAIMES “admitted to hitting the dog because she had growled at her” stated the release.
JAIMES was arrested on May 1, 2023, for aggravated cruelty to animals with a weapon, second degree felony. Arrest records maintained by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office show that JAIMES was released from the county jail the day after her arrest after posting a $7,500 bond.
Arrest records also show that JAIMES is a student and works at Starbucks.
The sheriff’s office said that following JAIMES’ arrest, Maya has been reunited with her guardian and is recovering at home.
Maya’s guardian has filed for an injunction on JAIMES.
In a subsequent press release, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister announced a petition for enjoinment to prevent JAIMES “from adopting or living with a pet in Hillsborough County”. The release goes on to state: “Sheriff Chronister and State Attorney Susan Lopez are pushing for this petition to be expanded statewide.”
Meanwhile, investigators continue to dig deeper into this case as they believe that “the abuse began as far back as October 2022. Since then, Maya has experienced numerous episodes of abuse, which have led to permanent damage.”
Sheriff Chronister said: “Nothing would justify this evil and callous abuse. Maya is a sweet and loving animal who did not deserve the torture she endured. This is why our investigation is so important. We need to dive deeper and determine how far the abuse goes back. We are dedicated to investigating this case and ensuring that Jaimes will be held accountable for her heinous acts.”
Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.
Please note that details may be removed or new information added should such sources report an update.
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.
JAIMES’ mugshot via Hillsborough County Jail.
