Springfield woman pleads guilty to animal cruelty charge; gets 2 years' probation

Steven Spearie, State Journal-Register
·2 min read
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Sii, a pitbull mix, adopted from the Animal Protective League.
Sii, a pitbull mix, adopted from the Animal Protective League.

A Springfield woman pleaded guilty to an animal cruelty charge in Sangamon County court Wednesday.

Taryn Goodwin, 32, was sentenced to two years' probation after authorities found a pit bull mix dead in her residence. The dog had no access to food or water.

The state's attorney's office requested Judge Raylene Grischow order a psychological examination of Goodwin, which was granted, said Mary Beth Rodgers, felony division chief.

Goodwin cannot own or reside with any domesticated animals for the duration of her probation.

If Goodwin violates probation, she could be sentenced to prison ranging from 1 to 3 years at 50%.

Goodwin took part in a "402 Conference" with Grischow on Sept. 21.

A "402 conference" is held away from the courtroom and includes the judge, the prosecutor, the defendant and the defendant's attorney. The meeting is designed to gauge a sentencing range if the defendant pleads guilty.

Two other misdemeanors against Goodwin were dismissed.

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Shane Sullivan, Goodwin's landlord, found the dog, named Sii, dead in a residence in the 1200 block of East Ash Street on Dec. 5, 2020.

The case brought an outpouring of support for the Animal Protective League of Springfield, including a vigil highlighting some of the services APL provides.

Goodwin adopted Sii through APL, said Deana Corbin, APL's executive director.

At the vigil, Corbin described Sii as "a sweet dog. He was beautiful, very happy. He loved other dogs. He was great in play groups. He was one of our favorites. Some of them kind of stick with you, and he was one of those everyone remembered. It always looked like he was smiling."

Sii came to APL from Tazewell County through the New Hope Program. Through that program, APL took in mostly dogs from about 30 animal control facilities, where they would be euthanized to make space for more animals.

Sii's name comes from the Samoan phrase "sii i luga," meaning "to lift up."

This story will be updated.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Springfield woman gets probation on animal cruelty charge