Altoona resident Cassidy M. Berkheimer, 24, and Bedford resident Rachael Marina Feaster, 22, were both arraigned Tuesday by Magisterial District Judge Daniel C. DeAntonio on identical charges of 33 felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals – causing serious bodily injury or death and 32 misdemeanor counts each of cruelty to animals and neglect of animals.

Unable to post their respective bails of 10% of $75,000, they were both remanded to the Blair County Prison.

Officers responded to a report of a house fire along the 2400 block of 10th Street about 3:10 p.m. on June 11. Once on scene, officers noted that patrolmen were speaking with Berkheimer, who had just returned home after being notified about the fire, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

Officers spoke with fire officials, who said the home was in deplorable living condition and that there was a multitude of animals, animal waste and animal carcasses in the residence. Several firefighters, bystanders and witnesses commented on the foul odors coming from the home, the report states.

Feaster

Officers also noted the distinguishable smell of “death and decay” as well as the strong odor of ammonia, which is commonly associated with the accumulation of animal feces and urine, court documents state.

Police records show that about 10 animals were lost due to smoke inhalation resulting from the fire and about 32 other animal remains were discovered and removed from the property.

The home was described as having animal feces covering much of its floor space, and having numerous dead and decomposing animals, including birds, ferrets, rabbits, cats, dogs and a hamster located through rooms on its three floors. A veterinarian working with the Central PA Humane Society performed a necropsy on one of the cats and estimated the death at “weeks to months prior to the fire,” court documents state.

Officers attempted to schedule an interview with Feaster to get an explanation and her version of events but she was uncooperative. Feaster’s relatives told officers that Feaster and Berkheimer had been in a relationship and living together at the residence since December 2021, court documents state.

Berkheimer and Feaster are scheduled to appear in front of DeAntonio for individual preliminary hearings on Aug. 21.