Support the Return of Willa: Demand Accountability After an Alleged Catnapping by Kathleen Barnes. She was arrested and posted bail but refused to give any information regarding Willa.

Executive Summary

This petition calls for transparency, accountability, and cooperation following the alleged catnapping of Willa, a family pet in Charleston, South Carolina. Publicly reported security footage shows a delivery driver stopping near Willa’s home and leaving with what appears to be the cat. Supporters seek the safe return of Willa, full cooperation from Uber Eats, and continued investigation by local authorities.

Petition Background

A Charleston family is asking for help after their beloved cat, Willa, was allegedly taken from her home in what supporters describe as a catnapping, a term used here to describe the removal of a household pet without consent by an Uber Eats delivery driver identified as Kathleen Barns, a local paralegal. The incident has been reported by local media and is supported by multiple security videos from the surrounding neighborhood.

This petition is organized by concerned community members, not the family themselves, to ensure this alleged catnapping receives the attention, transparency, and resolution it deserves.

What Happened

According to public reporting, Willa was resting outside her home when a delivery driver arrived in the area. Shortly thereafter, Willa disappeared. Security footage and reporting have raised serious concerns that Willa may have been catnapped rather than wandering off or being accidentally lost.

Verified Security Footage

According to WCIV reporting, footage obtained from First Baptist School shows a silver SUV stopping on Church Street, after which a person exits the vehicle and appears to pick something up from the same location where Willa had been seen moments earlier.

Additional footage from a neighboring residence at 62 Church Street, timestamped at 6:11 p.m., shows what police identified as the same silver SUV stopping in front of 59 Church Street. A person exits the vehicle, stoops near the front bumper, returns to the driver’s seat, and then drives away. 

Together, these independently sourced and time-stamped videos form a consistent sequence of events supporting the allegation of a catnapping. Ms. Barnes was arrested a second time for littering as video evidence showed her throwing Willa’s collar and tracking device out of her car window on Wentworth Street.

Why This Matters

Delivery platforms rely on public trust. Families routinely allow drivers access to their homes and neighborhoods with the expectation of safety and professionalism. When that trust is compromised, especially in a case involving a family pet, it raises serious questions about accountability and oversight.

Pets are more than property. They are companions and members of the household. Their removal should never be minimized or ignored.

What Supporters Are Asking For

• Full cooperation and transparency from Uber Eats
• Continued investigation by local law enforcement and plea to the proceeding judge to jail Ms. Barns until she cooperates with the safe and speedy return of Willa.                           

• Review of safeguards to prevent future pet catnappings

Source Note

This petition references reporting by WCIV (ABC News 4 – Charleston) and publicly described security footage reviewed by law enforcement. All descriptions are based on publicly reported information.

Call to Action

Kathleen Barnes is scheduled to appear in front of a judge at The City of Charleston Court on Lockwood Blvd, three pm on February 3rd . By signing and sharing this petition, you are supporting the safe return of Willa, encouraging accountability, and standing against pet catnapping.

Willa belongs at home. The family deserves answers. The community deserves accountability.