LAKELAND, FL – Polk County Sheriff’s Office Agricultural Crimes Unit detectives arrested 51-year-old Tamesha Knighten, a licensed practical nurse at Wellmed in Lakeland, on charges of felony animal cruelty and depositing poison in a public area. Knighten is accused of poisoning her neighbors’ two cats and a pregnant Chihuahua, resulting in the death of the animals and the Chihuahua’s unborn puppies.
The incident unfolded when the victims’ cats, Luna and Pancake, died displaying symptoms of choking, inability to breathe, and foaming from the mouth. Hours later, their pregnant Chihuahua, Daisy, was found deceased with her unborn puppies.
During the investigation, the victims reported Knighten’s previous threats to poison their pets. Notably, on the day of the incident, Knighten was seen acting suspiciously near the shared fence line. Evidence collected from the scene included a white Styrofoam bowl with a meaty substance mixed with a dark material, found in the victims’ yard.
Knighten initially denied ownership of the bowl but later acknowledged possession when confronted with similar items in her pantry. Video footage from her yard showed Knighten holding a similar bowl while wearing a blue glove and discussing something with a relative.
Chemical analysis by the University of Florida, Texas A&M University, and Michigan State University confirmed the presence of Phorate, a pesticide, in the substance from the bowl and the tissues of the deceased animals. Knighten, contradicting the evidence, denied her involvement.
Sheriff Grady Judd commented on the severity of the crime, highlighting the contradiction between Knighten’s professional role as a nurse and her actions.
Knighten’s criminal history includes a 2013 arrest for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. She is currently detained at the Polk County Jail.