On July, 2007, Laura Moon of Pasenda Maryland was arrested for stealing a poodle from her stepfather’s (Richard Franklin Kent-age 79) vehicle. She was placed in solitary confinement in the Anne Arundel Correctional Facility in Annapolis, Maryland for 3 days and nights (without needed medicine and medical attention) after a Northampton County, Virginia Judge ordered her arrested. The Criminal charge (Felony-Class 5) against her is being sent to a Northampton Grand Jury and she is expected to be indicted and face trial and up to 10 years in jail if convicted.

After 2 months of investigations, I have found that the reason that her Stepfather actively pursued his daughter being criminally charged is based more on the last will and testament of Margaret L. Kent (mother and wife), who died in July 2007. In the will it states” that all Margaret Kent’s personal items will be left to her only daughter. It mention’s nothing about the dog. Is the dog a personal item? In talking to more then 20 lawyers, they did not have an answer and all stated it makes the will vague.

In a interview with the stepfather at his waterfront home located on the Eastern shore of
Virginia in the city of Machipongo, he openly discussed the case. I asked him first of all if he felt the dog-napping by his stepdaughter was a criminal matter. He responded: “No, it is a family dispute” He further stated: “I want to drop the charges but I have to talk to my son first”. I then asked him why he had her arrested. The elder Kent stated: “Because I don’t like her, I never did... She is a kook, a nut”. I asked him about missing jewelry that his daughter claims was never turned over to him? Kent Sr. stated: “I don’t know where the missing jewelry is? Margaret was somewhat absent minded, and she may have given the jewelry to some friends who know’s… I want Laura out of my life”.

As you can see from the interview, the stepfather believes that this is clearly a family dispute and not a criminal case and should be in a civil court. Then why is the Northampton prosecutor seeking to put her in jail? Everyone I talked to in law-enforcement and the legal community is baffled about this. One attorney did state that Northampton County does not have many felonies on its court docket and possibly wants this one to play out. Another speculated that the son who lives in a palatial Maryland home valued at more then 1.2 million dollars may have played a much larger role. Regarding the son’s role, I agree! Just prior to being arrested, Richard Franklin Kent lll left a message on Laura Moon’s answering service. He stated: “I want the dog returned or I am going to have you arrested and charged with a felony.

The will and last testament further states that if the stepfather who is also the last and will and testament’s executor” shall become incapacitated or die then the will we be co-administered by Laura Moon and her stepbrother Richard Franklin lll, who is not the son of Margaret Kent. Here lies the rub, if Laura Moon is convicted, then they is a very good likelihood that she will be removed from her mothers last will and testament once and if the step-father becomes incapable of handling matters. Richard Kent lll, never adopted by the mother nor her natural son will be the sole beneficiary.

Did Laura Moon actively seek others to help her and take the dog? The Answer is Yes, but according to her, she had good reason.

1. She was previously asked by her mother to take care of the dog. We do not have her late mother here to attest to that but I have seen veterinarian records paid directly by Laura moon or in other cases by her mother. Moon stated that she was afraid for the safety of the dog and that in the past the stepfather was mean and was a neglectful, abusive care-giver. She also stated that her mother had told her to look after the dog.

2. Moon believed according to her mother’s last will and testament that the dog was rightfully hers and that the stepfather was not acting pursuant to his late wife’s wishes.

Is this a matter that should be pursued by the Commonwealth of Virginia taxpayers or is this family dispute?

According to Laura Moon’s attorney, Virginia Beach based James Garrett, numerous lawyers, Virginia citizenry and yours truly this case is definitely not a criminal matter.

This woman who is quite ill, and unlike her stepbrother has very limited financial resources. She had to suffer 3 days in solitary confinement. Emotionally suffers from a 24 hour a day panic disorder and recently had a stomach operation. Laura Moon lives in fear of going back to jail.