A judge revoked bond Tuesday, Feb. 15, for a woman under indictment for allegedly abusing a disabled man who now also stands accused of beating to death a bulldog.
Toni Washington, 26, appeared by videoconference Tuesday in Richmond County Superior Court where the prosecutor sought the revocation of her $40,000 bond that had freed her from custody since July 2019.
The bond was set for Washington who faces charges of aggravated assault, exploitation and intimidation of a disabled adult, as well as terroristic threats.
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On March 12, 2019, at Lizzy’s Adult Day Care where Washington was working, she allegedly choked and dragged a disabled man from his wheelchair and threatened to kill him. Washington has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Assistant District Attorney Katherine Tobergte told Judge Amanda Heath during Tuesday’s hearing that the victim in the case was non-verbal and unable to defend himself.
In early November, Chaddrick Parrish, a Burke County Sheriff’s deputy and the director of the county’s animal services, got a call from a vet about possible animal abuse, Parrish testified Tuesday. A woman brought in her bulldog with a possible head wound leading to blindness, a sore ring about the dog’s neck, burn marks on his head and ripped out toenails, he said. Because of the positive reaction to the owner after the dog was treated, the vet didn’t think the owner was responsible, Parrish said.
The day after Thanksgiving, the owner returned home to find the bulldog dead. She had paid Washington, her roommate, to take care of the bulldog. The dog suffered a fractured skull and pelvis and internal bleeding, Parrish said.
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The prosecutor said Washington was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals in Burke County. Because this is a second violent felony charge involving a vulnerable victim, Tobergte argued Washington’s bond in the case involving the disabled adult should be revoked.
Defense attorney Tyler Baum asked the judge to deny the request. There is a defense in the animal cruelty case because not only Washington, but the dog’s owner and a third woman all had equal access to the dog, he said. Washington was working, has a different place to live now, and she has family support, Baum said.
Heath revoked Washington’s bond, finding she posed a possible danger to the community. Washington does not yet have a bond in the animal abuse case in Burke County.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter covering courts for The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.Â
