Over 100 Cats Abandoned in U-Haul Outside Taco Bell: Woman Arrested
I still can’t believe what I’m about to tell you, but here it goes—because it’s something that really stopped me in my tracks. Imagine going to your local Taco Bell in Southern California and coming across a U-Haul van, not full of boxes or furniture, but over a hundred cats—yes, cats —inside. That’s exactly what happened in Santa Nella this past Sunday. Authorities were called out to the parking lot after someone noticed something suspicious about the van. When deputies arrived, they immediately saw at least 20 cats through the windows—clearly distressed, panting, and pressed up against the glass.
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Inside that U-Haul? A total of 106 cats —many of them severely underweight, sick, dehydrated, and sadly, 28 were already dead . The age of these cats ranged from tiny one-week-old kittens to adults up to 8 years old. Some were in cardboard boxes, others roaming freely, but none had food or water. This was all happening in a locked van in the middle of summer. It’s heartbreaking.
The woman responsible has been identified as 69-year-old Jeannie Maxon , a resident of Long Beach, California. She was arrested on the spot and later charged with 93 counts of animal cruelty . Right now, she’s sitting in Merced County Jail, and the investigation is ongoing.
Photos from the scene are hard to look at—cats jammed up against the windshield, many too weak to move. It’s a miracle any of them survived. Thankfully, animal control took immediate action and brought the surviving cats to the Merced County Animal Shelter . Once they’re medically cleared by veterinarians, these cats will be available for adoption.
The sheriff’s office took this moment to remind everyone how dangerous it is to leave animals in parked cars—especially during the summer. Temperatures inside vehicles can become deadly within minutes, even if the windows are cracked.
As of now, it’s unclear whether Maxon has legal representation or if she’s still in custody. But one thing is for sure: the trauma these cats endured is unimaginable, and this case has struck a nerve with animal lovers everywhere. Hopefully, the rescued cats will find loving homes and a much better life ahead.
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