DARLINGTON — In 2023, a Lafayette County husband and wife were charged in the deaths of more than 200 goats at a farm they rented. Less than nine months later, one of the two knows their fate.
On Tuesday, Jan. 16, Stephanie Mae Lincicum pleaded no contest to 23 of the 47 counts against her. The counts ranged from felony Mistreatment of Animals/Cause Death, to misdemeanor charges for Intentionally Fail/Provide food for Animal, Timely Disposition of Known Carcasses, and as party to a crime in the Transfer of Another’s Personal Property and Theft of Movable Property-Special Facts.
As many as 200 of the animals perished on a farm near Darlington at the hands of Kyle D. Lincicum and his wife, Stephanie, over the course of about a year, authorities alleged in a criminal complaint. They were reportedly renting the farm and raising the goats through an agreement with the property owners. Charges were initially filed May 11, 2023.
The Lincicums 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.
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.
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.
On counts 21-30, Stephanie Lincicum received 9 months jail with Huber privileges and good time calculation. On counts 1-10, she received 5 years probation with 9 months condition jail with Huber privileges (consecutive to counts 21-30). Count 41 included a $1,000 fine plus additional court costs. Counts 46 and 47 led to 5 years probation concurrent to counts 1-10, but consecutive to counts 21-30.
Stephanie Lincicum was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $253,972.62. She received one day of credit for time already served and must report to jail on Feb. 2 by 6 p.m.
Kyle Lincicum pleaded guilty on Dec. 4, 2023 to the same counts (1-10, 21-30, 41, 46, and 47). His sentencing hearing is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 26.