HOLLIDAYSBURG — A Blair County senior judge gave the District Attorney’s Office 15 days to provide evidence to the defense in the joint cases against two city women facing animal cruelty charges after a June 2024 house fire revealed at least 42 dead animals in deplorable living conditions.

Cassidy M. Berkheimer, 25, and Rachael Marina Feaster, 22, are each facing 33 felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals – causing serious bodily injury or death and 32 misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals. Previously filed 32 misdemeanor counts of neglect of animals – tethering against both Berkheimer and Feaster were withdrawn by the DA’s Office, according to online court documents.

Senior Judge Jolene Grubb Kopriva handed down the order during a trial list review hearing on Nov. 20, according to online court documents.

Berkheimer and Feaster’s defense attorneys Anthony Kattouf and Danielle Donivan expressed the need for the animals’ necropsy report and video interviews of their mothers conducted by Altoona police, court documents state.

The attorneys told Kopriva the information was necessary to allow their experts to supplement their reports.

The charges against both women were filed on Aug. 6, 2025, after a weekslong investigation into a June house fire.

At the residence along the 2400 block of 10th Street, fire officials told Altoona police that the home was in deplorable living conditions and there was a multitude of animals, animal waste and animal carcasses in the residence, court documents state.

The police report states that about 10 animals were lost due to smoke inhalation resulting from the fire and about 32 other animal remains were discovered and removed from the property. The home was described as having animal feces covering much of its floor space, and having numerous dead and decomposing animals, including birds, ferrets, rabbits, cats, dogs and a hamster located throughout rooms on its three floors.

Berkheimer and Feaster remain free on their respective 10% of $75,000 bails. Their next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 8 in front of President Judge Wade A. Kagarise.