Henrico pair indicted on 40 charges in animal cruelty case
Two Henrico County residents have been indicted on a combined 40 charges in connection with the deaths of five dogs found in a Varina parking lot in June, according to Henrico Police.
Deric Rashawn Beale, 41, and Barbara Frances Jones, 53, both of Henrico, were arrested Sept. 17 following a months-long investigation involving Henrico Police Animal Protection officers, patrol officers and detectives.
The investigation began June 10 at about 8:45 a.m., when Animal Protection officers responded to the 6200 block of Monahan Road for a report of a suspicious animal death. Officers found five dogs in various stages of decomposition at the far end of a parking lot. Police said all five appeared to be pit bull mixes.
The dogs were taken to the Henrico Police Animal Shelter, where necropsies were performed. Investigators found no signs of external injuries, and the cause of death for all five dogs was determined to be consistent with an environmental factor, including heat, according to police.
The investigation eventually expanded to include previous calls for service involving Beale and Jones dating to December 2025.
“This investigation required re-interviewing multiple individuals connected to previous calls for service involving Mr. Beale and Ms. Jones dating back to December 2025,” Henrico Police Chief Eric D. English said. “Officers also conducted a thorough review of digital evidence from those incidents and leveraged resources and expertise across the Police Division to help advance the investigation.”
After consulting with the Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, investigators presented the case to a Henrico grand jury.
Beale and Jones each were indicted Sept. 14 on five felony counts of animal cruelty causing death, five counts of improper disposal of a body and 10 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. Together, they face 40 charges.
Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon L. Taylor thanked police and witnesses who participated in the investigation.
“We are so appreciative of the hard work that the Henrico Police Division members put into this investigation,” Taylor said. “I certainly appreciate the witnesses who were willing to be interviewed in order to hold these two individuals accountable.”
Taylor also cited Henrico’s animal cruelty registry and emphasized that the indictments represent the beginning of the criminal court process.
Anyone with additional information about the case may contact Henrico Police Det. E. Wright at police@henrico.gov. Anonymous tips may be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000 or through P3tips.com.
