MACOMB – A call to local police in mid-April set the ball rolling for an in-depth look into an alleged animal cruelty case on Macomb’s northeast side … and this wasn’t an isolated incident for the reported offender.
A few weeks later, on May 2, the McDonough County Animal Shelter was overwhelmed with even more animals in need of care after nearly 40 animals were removed from the Hickory Grove residence by animal welfare and law enforcement staff. The Macomb Police Department is continuing its work on the case with the City of Macomb Community Development and Code Enforcement departments, and the case is now also in the hands of the McDonough County State’s Attorney for review.
“I will be reviewing the information provided in order to make a determination on this matter,” State’s Attorney Matt Kwacala said. “At this time, the animals will remain under the care of the animal shelter.”
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for Macomb Police Department reports, along with stories from media outlets in Massachusetts and Kentucky, as well as available federal court documents found online, uncovered a long history of charges related to animal cruelty and hoarding. According to the police reports obtained via FOIA, on April 23, officers from the Macomb Police Department first visited the Hickory Grove home of Heidi Erickson after failing to reach her by phone to address a reported dispute with a neighbor. The responding officer wrote in his report: “I was informed that Erickson’s residence emanates a strong foul odor that is detected from across property lines.
It was also discovered that Erickson had been involved in several animal cruelty cases in Massachusetts … A CHRI inquiry into Erickson revealed several prior convictions for disorderly conduct, resisting a peace officer, as well as the animal cruelty charges.”
When the officer arrived on the property, he detected the odor of “animal feces and urine emanating from within the residence. It should be noted that all doors and windows to the residence were unopened. As I stood at the door, I could strongly detect the odor of animal feces/urine.
I could also at times smell the odor of animal decomposition as there was a strong sulfur and methane smell coming from within the residence.” Erickson purportedly refused to speak with officers; however, based on the officer’s observations during that visit, on April 29, a sworn affidavit was completed and filed with the city attorney for an administrative search warrant to investigate violations related to the care, treatment and housing of animals as well as property maintenance in a sanitary condition under Illinois’ Humane Care for Animals Act and the Macomb Municipal Code.
The warrant was signed off by McDonough County Judge Heidi Benson on May 1, authorizing City of Macomb employees, police officers and Animal Control entry into the residence at Hickory Grove, Macomb, IL for the purpose of an inspection.
The police report further states, that on May 2: “Authorized employees of the City of Macomb knocked at the residence for several minutes but received no answer. Erickson could be seen peering through a curtain in the kitchen but refused to answer to demands to come to the door, nor respond verbally.
As we stood on the front porch, the overwhelming smell of fecal matter, animal urine, and animal decomposition emanated from the residence. Due to the likelihood of live animals being within the residence and the exigency of determining their welfare, Chief Hamer authorized forced entry into the residence. Utilizing a battering ram, Erickson’s front door was forced open and officers made entry into the residence. Upon entering, the foul smell of animal feces, urine and decomposition immediately became stronger.”
Upon execution of the warrant on the second day of May, the animals and Erickson, who reportedly moved into the home in August 2023, were removed from the property, which has since been “red-tagged,” meaning it is uninhabitable.
She is not allowed on the property for any reason other than to clean, according to public officials.
Animal Control removed over 30 cats from the resident, and discovered two dead felines in the freezer/ refrigerator. Additionally, an unknown number of animal skeleton parts were located behind the refrigerator. According to the police reports, Animal Control Officer Zach Welch told officers that the live animals within the residence were “severely malnourished, infested with fleas causing fur loss and were unclean.”
In addition to the Persian cats, two of which were pregnant, removed from the home, three young chickens and an English Setter breed canine were also remanded to the animal shelter. The shelter is currently holding and caring for the animals in the shelter’s temporary custody.
“The animals are being cleaned and groomed, properly nourished in order to gain weight and are slowly gaining their strength and getting healthier,” Welch shared with the Community News Brief.
According to Humane Society of McDonough County (HSMC) President Bonnie Smith-Skripps, the HSMC budgets for specialized medical care for shelter animals each year, which includes life-anddeath situations such as with Parvo and heartworm treatment, along with x-rays, amputations or eye removals and dental care.
Smith-Skripps noted in this particular case, unless the animals are found to have additional special medical needs or need critical care, the shelter would likely cover the expenses.
“The HSMC is committed to doing whatever is necessary to ensure that all the animals have the care and support needed for their physical and emotional health. That includes not only financial assistance that may be needed for special medical care, but also the attention and interaction the animals need to recover from any unhealthy living conditions,” she added. “They deserve the opportunity to a live a safe and happy life.”
Local veterinarian Dr. Karen Blakeley, who provides medical care for animals at the shelter, provided an informational report to police, which was also obtained via the FOIA request. Blakeley noted that most of the felines (Persians) were heavily matted and in need of grooming, and the majority were underweight.
Several also likely were/are suffering from respiratory infections, which is common in unvaccinated and/or living in tight/overcrowded situations, she stated in her report for Macomb police.
McDonough County Clerk Jeremy Benson told the Community News Brief that the county does not yet have specific costs incurred for the influx of animals related to this case. The Animal Shelter’s current year appropriated budget is $174,800. As of April 30, animal control/ animal shelter’s expenses totaled $87,422. Benson explained if any department/ fund exceeds its budgeted expenses during the fiscal year, a request is submitted to the County Board’s Finance Committee for an additional budget allocation or appropriation as needed.
Information obtained from PACER, which is the federal courts online database, revealed that Erickson initially attempted to file a civil suit in the U.S. District Court-Central Illinois Division against the City of Macomb for her removal from the home. However, as she was no longer in the central Illinois region at the time of the filing a few days after the incident, the case was transferred to U.S.
District Court-Northern Illinois Division. Judge Charles Kocoras dismissed the case May 14 without prejudice for failure to exhaust available state court remedies and the civil case was terminated. Kocoras’ stated in his ruling: “Petitioner must raise any challenge to her custody before the state courts before raising a Section 2241 habeas corpus petition in federal court.”
Erickson’s current whereabouts are unknown, and to date, the home and property have not been remediated.
The Community News Brief continues to follow the case.
