Kathleen Estelle Blackwell, 48, of Chesapeake Beach, and Jacob Alan Swierczewski, 29, of Chesapeake Beach, are each facing 63 animal-related charges after court documents say a neglect investigation at a St Andrews Drive residence led authorities to remove a dog and several cats from the home.
According to District Court for Calvert County records, Blackwell and Swierczewski are each charged with 48 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty/failure to provide, eight counts of failing to license a dog or cat, and seven counts of failing to vaccinate an animal against rabies. Both cases were filed on May 6, 2026, as criminal statement of charges applications, and summonses were issued the same day. Because the cases were filed by application and summons, rather than through arrests, no booking photos are available.
Court documents state that ACO Bell-Bussler responded on April 27, 2026, to St Andrews Drive in Chesapeake Beach to investigate a neglect report. The officer wrote that photographs and a statement indicated a white Pitbull-type dog and several cats were inside the home and “were forced to live in deplorable conditions.” The officer reported a strong odor of urine and feces coming from the windows and posted a compliance notice requiring Blackwell to provide access to view all animals, remove feces, reduce the ammonia smell, and provide vaccination and license records by April 28, 2026.
On April 29, 2026, after no contact had been made, authorities obtained a search and seizure warrant signed by Judge Woodall. The filing says Deputy Director A. Coleman, State’s Attorney Investigator Mike Moore, Calvert County deputies, and animal control personnel went to the residence. Upon arrival, Swierczewski “advised that there was one dog and cats inside the residence at the time.” Blackwell was not at the residence during the search.
The officer wrote that they were “immediately overwhelmed with the smell of urine, feces, and decay” after entering through the basement. Court documents say the home had reportedly been without electricity or running water for more than a year, refrigerators contained decaying food, and the basement had rotting and moldy food, urine, fecal matter, broken glass, and debris. The officer also reported that animals in the basement had no access to water and that the food bowl for Tyson, the dog, was dirty and coated in old food.
When asked about the cleanliness of the home, Swierczewski “advised that he has not changed the litter boxes for the cats due to the lack of cat litter in the house and that when cleaning on April 26, 2026, the last functional mop and bucket was taken,” according to court documents.
The officer reported that the smell became stronger on the stairwell, causing their nose to run, eyes to water, and throat to sting. The filing says each stair and the landing were coated in a thick layer of feces and what appeared to be vomit. Upstairs, the officer reported seeing several cats calling out for attention and said one cat’s fur felt greasy and unclean. The only water source for the cats was described as a large bowl that was about half full of cloudy, discolored water.
Animals named Tyson, Magic, Lil Miss, Lilo, Emma, and Smoke were seized and transported to the Linda Kelley Animal Shelter. Two cats, Bentley and Ash, could not be caught at that time, and a compliance notice was given to Swierczewski requiring that both be removed from the home within 24 hours, according to the filings.
At the shelter, veterinarian Dr. Hathaway examined the animals. Court documents say each animal had fleas and flea dirt. Tyson was reported to have bilateral lenticular sclerosis, grade 2-3 dental disease, advanced osteoarthritis in most limbs and joints, and an enlarged liver. Magic was reported to have dental disease and signs of diabetes. Lil Miss was reported to have a distended abdomen and grade 3-4 dental disease. Lilo, Emma, and Smoke were also reported to have dental disease, with bloodwork ordered for some animals before possible dental surgery.
On April 30, 2026, the officer spoke by phone with Blackwell. According to court documents, Blackwell “advised that she was unaware until April 29, 2026, that [the officer] was attempting to make contact with her.” She also “advised that she does not live at the St Andrews Drive residence but stays there three times [a] week,” “advised she swept the floors three times [a] week and cleaned the debris in the home when she was there,” and “advised that her son Jacob Swierczewski was supposed to watch and care for the animals at the residence when she was not home.” Blackwell also “advised that only Tyson sees the vet on occasion with her daughter.”
The charges for both defendants allege failures to provide proper care for Tyson, Magic, Lil Miss, Lilo, Emma, Smoke, Ash, and Bentley, including food, veterinary care, drink, air, space, and shelter, depending on the animal and charge. The filings also allege failures to obtain licenses and rabies vaccinations for the animals.
Blackwell and Swierczewski are both scheduled for preliminary inquiry hearings on June 22, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. in Courtroom 2 at Calvert District Court. Both cases remain open.
