An Alabama teenager is in custody awaiting trial at the end of this month after he allegedly molested a horse multiple times, and the owner says he left behind evidence of his crime.
Daniel Bennett, 18, of Irvington, allegedly told investigators with the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office that he attempted to molest the animal, AL.com reported.
The horse’s owner, Francine Janes, told WPMI that she discovered Bennett in the barn Thursday night after hearing her dogs barking.
Janes said she and her husband, armed with a gun, found him hiding in one of the barn stalls. The owner said upon finding Bennett that he told her that he “likes horses” and “wanted to pet the horse.”
Janes’ husband reportedly held Bennett at gunpoint until authorities arrived. Police said they discovered a trench coat with “burglar’s tools” inside that reportedly belonged to Bennett.
Janes told police that she suspected Bennett inappropriately interacted with the horse several times in December and left evidence of his presence.
“I would say seven maybe 10 times,” Janes told WPMI. “Toilet paper had been left. The hay stacks had been removed. Items had been turned over. And that’s as far as I want to go.”
Bennett was charged with sexual misconduct, possessing burglar’s tools, and second-degree trespassing.
Bennett made his initial court appearance Tuesday and is due back in court January 18 when his trial is scheduled to begin.