Update:

Licking County Municipal Court 

Case#s

25CRB00281-A

25CRB00281-B

25CRB00281-C

25CRB00281-D

It is unfortunate and with a heavy heart that I have to provide this update. Per the previous update, I believed we had certainly taken victory over the felony cases. Alexis had withdrew her application for intervention in lieu of conviction. Either way, it definitely was a win for us. Unfortunately, there have been new developments in the case. Alexis Vankannel of Pataskala Ohio now has 4 additional misdemeanor charges pending. It was discovered that Noelle was not her only victim, but was the only animal she ended up killing as a result of the abuse endured at the hands of Alexis. After further investigation, it was found that she abused multiple other dogs as well.

 

Excerpts from a local news outlet regarding this matter:

 

"In a report, humane agents state they reviewed surveillance footage from Nov. 21 at the boarding and grooming business that they allege showed VanKannel smacking, pushing and dragging a dog across a platform before hitting another dog with a leash.

 

The agents allege in the report that footage from the the next day shows VanKannel throwing a ball twice at another dog before pulling its ears to lift it off the ground, among other violent actions. The report also alleges she also sat on another dog's ribs and chased it; after around 20 minutes, it alleges she began abusing one of the dogs some more

 

In the report, the agents state they interviewed most of the dogs' owners, two of whom reported their dogs later exhibited different behavior. At least three of the dogs didn't seem to suffer major injuries, according to the report.

 

An owner of one of the dogs did not respond to multiple requests from police for an interview, the report states. The agents said Bath and Biscuits sent the footage after requesting it from owner Danielle Wilson."

 

 

 

This is absolutely devastating news to be received during an already tragic situation. I will be updating the original petition accordingly. I only ask that you please continue to share this petition far and wide so that we may, as a collective voice, continue to spread awareness and bring those to justice in the hopes that they are held fully accountable for their transgressions against these helpless animals. 

 

 

 

Thank you for your perseverance and unwavering support for all those involved. 

 

 

 

- Joey

 

 

 

Case# 2024 CR 00816 - STATE OF OHIO vs. ALEXIS B VANKANNEL

 

It is deeply personal to me, as it should be to us all, that no human being should get away with torturing/killing an animal and not serve jail time or be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law incurring a lifetime felony conviction. We are referring to a case that highlights our communal outrage - The case of Alexis B VanKannel of Pataskala, who was initially charged with 2 counts of: "959.131: PROHIBITION AGAINST COMPANION ANIMALS FELONY 5TH DEGREE." In November 2024, Ms VanKannel was accused of torturing, beating, kicking, and strangling a young golden retriever named Noelle until she later died, ultimately succumbing to her injuries. This occurred at VanKannels previous place of employment, Bath and Biscuits located in Granville, Ohio. Noelle died of blunt force trauma, organ damage, and internal bleeding as a result of the abuse that she endured for over 2 hours while in the care of VanKannel. It is suspected that this was not the first time she had abused animals at her place of work. This was however the first time she was caught. Further investigation showed a possible pattern of abuse and other times where she was physically abusive/rough with the animals placed in her care. When caught on camera, confronted, and arrested days later she was asked why. Alexis V. stated, "I have no good reason for why I did it” and that “life has been bad." Alexis comes from a loving home and privileged upbringing. After her initial bond hearing, she requested a change in the conditions of her bond. Originally, she was not to be around any animals as a part of her bond condition. Alexis lives with her parents and they have animals in their home. Shockingly enough, the court granted her permission to be around pets in her own home. She had applied for a program called ILC on 02/10/25, which means "intervention in lieu of conviction."  To qualify for this program, you must have a current mental health condition or substance abuse disorder that existed during the commission of the crime/s. There were no mentions of substance abuse or mental health issues prior to or following this event taking place. Oddly enough, she suddenly claimed to have these issues in order to qualify for the program and avoid jail time/felony convictions. She has taken no accountability for her actions and pled not guilty in the beginning, with the intentions of taking the case to trial. This was until she was offered the option by her public defender to get away with her actions by applying for the in lieu of conviction program. She has not 1 felony charge, but 2 felony charges pending for this crime. When do we draw a line? What is the limit? Does someone with 3, 4, or 5 felony charges as a first time offender get offered this program in order to avoid a conviction?! This is not something that should be swept under the rug. This individual should have at least one felony conviction on her record for life as a result of this horrible crime and the charges brought against her. On 02/24/25 a motion to withdraw her application for "intervention in lieu of conviction," was submitted to the courts. On 02/25/25, the judge granted the motion to withdrawal her application. That being said, we are still not out of the fight just yet. Alexis previously worked at Mount Carmel hospital in the past. Without a felony conviction, she will continue to pass backround checks, be allowed to work with animals, children, and the elderly which raises a huge concern. She is a considerable risk to the community and others outside of it that may be placed in her care at some point or another. 

As concerned citizens of Licking County and the surrounding area, we firmly believed that allowing legal intervention/diversion in lieu of conviction would prevent her from being held accountable for this brutal act and is certainly not in our community's best interest to allow someone like Alexis to avoid any felony convictions. The argument here isn't merely about one single act of cruel animal abuse. Worldwide, studies have unveiled that there's a substantial correlation between animal cruelty and serious crimes against human beings.(Source: The Humane Society, United States). Continuing to ignore her actions would not only be a great injustice to our fellow creatures, but a potential threat to our society as well. If VanKannel had been granted entry into the in lieu of conviction program, she would have potentially faced a handful of substance abuse classes or counseling sessions and 1 to 2 years of non-reporting probation. Upon completion, as long as her fines/court costs were paid, the court within a year would dismiss the case, drop all charges, and expunge everything from her record. In doing this, she would not only literally get away with murder, but it sets the stage for others who may commit these heinous acts in the future knowing that they may just get a slap on the wrist. Therefore, despite the withdrawal of her application implore the court to uphold Ms VanKannel's original charges and also insist that she be prohibited from owning or caring for any animals indefinitely. The act of returning kindness for cruelty is not always justice, and it is justice that we, the community, demand. We hope that Alexis chooses to plea guilty and takes full responsibility for her actions, as well as serves whatever sentences the court imposes as a result. If she's not willing to do this, at the very least, we hope that a jury trial will be held in order to decide her fate after the facts are argued in a court of law. Please sign this petition to amplify our collective voice seeking justice for all creatures. Her next court date was scheduled for 04/14/25 where a change of plea hearing was supposed to take place and Judge Thomas Marcelain plan to either accept or deny her application for intervention in lieu of conviction. Now that she withdrew her application, we are not sure what will happen next.

 

I would encourage everyone to continue signing and sharing. Please continue to call, email, and mail the judges/persecutors office. Since she is no longer applying for the "slap on the wrist" program, just let them know your feelings regarding this individual and the concerns you have for the safety of our community, as well as the general public if she is not punished to the fullest extent of the law pending a finding/plea of guilty. Let them know that we believe her punishment should reflect the severity of her crimes so that we may hold this individual accountable for her actions and encourage the judicial system to prosecute this individual to the fullest extent of the law if found guilty by a jury of her peers. 

 

Judge Thomas Marcelain

 

Licking County Courthouse of Common Pleas

Newark, OH, 43055

(740) 670-5777

(740) 670-5888 (fax)

 

He is the presiding judge who is responsible for the outcome of this case as far as her application for in lieu of conviction to be accepted or not.

 

Judge Marcelain's office staff includes Daniel Hoover, (740) 670-5779, court administrator; Andrea Gebhart, (740) 670-5781, assignment commissioner; and Carolyn Ross, (740) 670-5777, administrative assistant; Karina Hull, (740) 670-5778, court reporter; Nathan Heiser, (740) 670-5774, staff attorney

 

Jenny Wells is the head Licking County Prosecutor assigned to the adult felony division

 

Licking County Prosecutor's Office

20 S. Second St,

Newark, Ohio 43055

Contact

T: 740-670-5255

F: 740-670-5241

Again, I encourage and implore all of you to write, email, and call both the prosecutor's office and the judges office as well. With your help and the help of the community, our hope is that this individual will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law if found guilty due to the overwhelming evidence against her. Not only forcing her to take accountability, but to also set an example for others out there who will hopefully think twice before committing such atrocities against these defenseless beloved creatures. Future employers and anywhere she goes that requires a background check should be aware of these crimes committed by Alexis VanKannel. She should have to carry this with her for the rest of her life, just like Noelles family has to. This certainly won't make up for what she's done or bring Noelle back, but it's the least we could ask for. 

The law claims to recognize animal lives to be precious and so they have established harsher punishments for crimes against animals such as neglect/abuse/murder. However, what good does that do if they are not implementing these punishments and holding people like Alexis Vankannel accountable?

Noelle deserves justice and so does her grieving family members. They didn't just lose a companion animal or pet, they lost a child and a member of their family. Let's advocate for them and try our best to ensure that justice is served.

All the love and praises to each and every one of you for your diligence, as well as support thus far.

 

Thank you and keep up the great work!