A man has been sentenced to 40 days in jail after he and a woman pleaded guilty to keeping over two dozen cats in a U-Haul van for months, resulting in severe medical issues, in Island Lake.
Patryk T. Popek, 32, of River Grove, and Nicole B. Blotnicki, 32, of Glenview, were charged in March 2024 with cruelty to animals and four counts of violation of owner duties, which are misdemeanor offenses.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court said Popek and Blotnicki confined 26 cats in a manner that placed the cats in a “life-threatening situation” for a prolonged period of time in Island Lake around March 13, 2024.
The cats were housed for at least two months in extreme conditions in a vehicle, which resulted in poor health, the complaint said.
10 of the 26 cats had medical issues that resulted in a veterinarian recommending they be euthanized.
The complaint said Popek and Blotnicki failed to provide quality food and water and adequate shelter for 20 cats that were housed in the vehicle.
The complaint also said Popek and Blotnicki failed to provide veterinary care when needed for seven of the cats to prevent suffering.
McHenry County Assistant State’s Attorney Alicia Ayala said the cats were housed in a Ford Transit U-Haul rental van and that 12 of the cats suffered severe medical issues that led to the veterinarian recommending they be euthanized.
Ayala said several were euthanized but it is unclear exactly how many were euthanized.
The cats were seized by the Island Lake Police Department and placed into the care of McHenry County Animal Control.
Blotnicki and Popek were arrested following the discovery and both were later released.
Court records show Blotnicki pleaded guilty to cruelty to animals, a Class A misdemeanor, on February 26 in a negotiated plea agreement.
McHenry County Judge Justin Hansen sentenced Blotnicki to 40 days in the McHenry County Jail and one year of conditional discharge pursuant to the plea.
Blotnicki received day-for-day credit for her jail sentence. She was also ordered to obtain a mental health evaluation.
Court records show Popek also pleaded guilty to cruelty to animals, a Class A misdemeanor, on March 19 in a negotiated plea agreement.
McHenry County Judge Justin Hansen sentenced Blotnicki to 40 days in the McHenry County Jail and one year of conditional discharge pursuant to the plea.
Blotnicki will receive day-for-day credit for his jail sentence. He was also ordered to obtain a mental health evaluation.
Blotnicki was taken into custody of the McHenry County Jail on Wednesday and is set to be released on May 5.