DARLINGTON — A Lafayette County couple have been arrested on more than 100 combined charges, including felonies, related to the inhumane treatment and deaths of goats on a farm near Darlington.

As many as 200 of the animals perished on the farm, at the hands of Kyle D. Lincicum and his wife, Stephanie, over the course of about a year, authorities allege in a criminal complaint. They were reportedly renting the farm and raising the goats through an agreement with the property owners.

After a lengthy investigation, Stephanie M. Lincicum, 33, and Kyle D. Lincicum, 32, both of South Wayne, each were charged with 20 counts of mistreatment of animals, 20 counts of failure to provide proper food and drink for confined animals, five counts of timely disposition of carcasses, one count of transfer of another’s personal property; and one count of theft.

They also were apparently selling some of the herd they were supposed to be raising at the farm, in the 11000 block of Prairie Road in Seymour Township. 

The goats started dying not long after the Lincicums took over the farm in 2020, investigators allege. They were not fed properly and many were malnourished. Authorities were alerted to the issue in part by bank representatives who had loaned money to the couple for operation of the farm and later became concerned about their investment.

At one point, a building on the property contained 177 dead goats. Investigators found no hay or only hay that was covered in mold or bird excrement.

“I asked (Stephanie), if the vet did come out, and animals continue to die day after day, would you not find any way possible to call a vet and try to find help?” one investigator said in the complaint.

The couple reportedly told police that the goats began dying off due to a disease. But they had only called the vet once to look at the animals early on, and kept the owners in the dark about the herd’s plight over time. Though they were fed hay at intervals, it was not the right type and most of what little there was on the farm was no longer edible, investigators concluded.

By the time police got involved in March of 2023 only a few of the original goats remained and they had to be euthanized.

Over time, police say, some goats were dying of either disease or malnutrition while others were taken to a nearby sale barn in exchange for cash — adding up to about $35,000 officials said.

Stephanie Lincicum allegedly admitted to police that the couple were in over their head when it came to raising goats. 

“Stephanie agreed that she thought she could handle the job, but soon realized she was inexperienced,” the investigator said. “Stephanie admitted to taking goats to the sale barn to make extra money.”

The owners of the property told police they were initially unaware of what was happening at the farm and claim the Lincicums failed to share payment of bills or any potential profits.

She made an initial appearance on the charges Tuesday, June 20, in Lafayette County Circuit Court. Her arraignment is set for 1:30 p.m., July 10, before Circuit Judge Duane M. Jorgenson. She was released from Lafayette County Jail on a $5,000 signature bond, records indicate.

Kyle Lincicum, made his last court appearance on June 20 via videolink from the jail. His bond on the charge also is a $5,000 signature bond but it is unclear if he is being held due to a warrant. His preliminary hearing is set for July 14 at 2 p.m.