Story Archive

Felonious Animal Care II

According to Sarasota, Fla., County Sheriff Thomas Knight, Deputy Frankie Bybee, 46, responded to a call at the home of a 79-year-old woman. Bybee and the woman became friends, and he visited her regularly — while on patrol and off shift. But then, according to Knight, the woman was hospitalized and Bybee took the woman’s dog and a check for over $1,000 — “in case the dog needed care.” He then allegedly deposited the check and found the dog a new home — via Craigslist. Then, four more checks from the woman’s account turned up, made out to Bybee and his three children, for a total of $65,000. When the woman said she didn’t write them and Bybee’s fingerprints were found on them, he was placed on administrative leave. Three days later, Bybee allegedly broke into the woman’s house, “agitated and angry” about the complaint. He allegedly tried to force sleeping pills down her throat. She woke up to find the door to her garage open and her car running. “Our investigation revealed that Bybee attempted to kill the victim and make it appear to be a suicide,” Knight said. Bybee has been charged with larceny, exploitation of the elderly of $50,000 or more, forgery, burglary of an occupied dwelling, battery on a person 65 or older, and attempted murder. (MS/Miami Herald) ...He’s got a new ad on Craigslist — looking for a lawyer.