On a blistering Sunday afternoon in Santa Nella, California, a disturbing scene unfolded in the parking lot of a Taco Bell. A U-Haul van, parked in plain view, became the center of a horrifying animal cruelty case after authorities discovered 134 cats packed inside the vehicle — 28 of them already dead.
Deputy Ross from the Merced County Sheriff’s Office was the first to respond after someone reported concerns about animals inside the van. Through the windshield, the deputy could already see roughly 20 cats in visible distress. A statement shared on the department’s Facebook page confirmed what would soon become a much graver discovery: 106 cats were found alive but emaciated, alongside the 28 deceased animals.
134 cats were found crammed into a U-Haul van in 100-degree heat.
No Food. No Water. No Escape.
According to ABC News, the cats were found with no access to food or water, in what authorities described as sweltering conditions. Local temperatures that day climbed to nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Inside a sealed vehicle, those temperatures could have risen dramatically higher within minutes, creating an unbearable and deadly environment for the animals trapped inside.
Images released by the sheriff’s office show cats pressed against the windshield, others huddled in cardboard boxes or lying motionless on the floor. The cats ranged in age from just a week old to around eight years. Many were so malnourished that animal control officers rushed them directly to Merced County Animal Shelter for emergency care.
One Woman, 93 Charges
The van’s owner, identified as 69-year-old Jeannie Maxon from Long Beach, was arrested on 93 counts of animal cruelty. She was booked into the Merced County Jail and is the subject of an ongoing investigation, according to The Independent.
Officials said Maxon had no explanation for why the cats were inside the van. No evidence suggests she was in the process of transporting them to a shelter or seeking veterinary care. The images and conditions speak to prolonged neglect and confinement.
“Deputy Ross observed at least 20 cats in distress through the vehicle’s window,” the sheriff’s office stated, noting that the situation quickly escalated when animal control arrived to remove dozens more from the van, many of which were near death or already gone, as reported by Los Angeles Times.
The temperature inside the van likely reached lethal levels in minutes.
Heat, Confinement, and a Deadly Outcome
The Merced County Sheriff’s Office used this tragic case to issue a strong warning to the public: leaving any animal inside a vehicle, even for a few minutes, can be fatal. As the Merced Sun-Star reports, temperatures inside cars can reach lethal levels quickly, even with cracked windows.
“On a warm day, temperatures inside a car can soar to extreme levels in just a few minutes,” the sheriff’s department wrote. “This can lead to heatstroke, dehydration, and even death of the animal left inside.”
Next Steps for the Surviving Cats
The surviving cats are now under the care of Merced County Animal Services and the Atwater Veterinary Center. Their condition is being monitored, and staff are working to stabilize their health. Once cleared by veterinarians, the cats will be put up for adoption — a second chance at life after enduring unthinkable neglect.
“All cats were seized and taken to the Merced County Animal Shelter,” the sheriff’s office confirmed in multiple updates. As ABC News reported, the community has already begun inquiring about how to help, and animal officials say they will release information on the adoption process soon.
Avoidable Tragedy
This case has shocked both local authorities and animal welfare advocates. What happened in that van wasn’t just a case of hoarding — it was a slow, preventable mass suffering. The situation serves as a stark reminder that animals rely entirely on human care, and failure to meet those responsibilities can result in criminal charges — and devastating loss.
