Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


Trial is scheduled to begin next week in one of two criminal cases against a woman charged in an animal welfare case.

The Devoted Barn is owned and operated by 50-year-old Melissa Borden.

In the first case, the one scheduled to go to trial Monday in Livingston County Circuit Court, Borden is facing a felony count of abandoning/cruelty to 25 or more animals with a listed offense of December 26th, 2023. She’s currently free on a $10,000 bond.

In a recent video on Facebook, Borden stressed she is not willing to take a plea deal in the case – saying she is not guilty anything and “that’s all there is to it”. She said she couldn’t disclose what was offered, but it was nothing acceptable. Borden stated “I can tell you this, that they don’t want to go to trial”, alleging she overheard prosecutors saying a worst-case scenario would be to go to trial and she “knows they don’t want to”. Borden said she is “looking forward to going to trial and the truth coming out” – further encouraging people to come out and support her during her trial.

The group “Not Devoted – A Blog About The Devoted Barn” continues to follow the case and posted the following in response to Borden’s video:

“Most of you heard about this video and Melissa Borden's audacity does not disappoint. As you watch this remind yourself that this woman is facing 2 Felony Cruelty/Neglect charges for over 70 animals. Some who lost their lives to her selfish arrogance. Prosecutors and law enforcement are in control of these legal proceedings. Melissa has a public defender that your tax dollars are paying for and the last thing happening is Melissa being in charge telling them what deal/s they can offer her. IF she doesn't take an offer that they have proposed these cases go to trial. Period, end of story. There is no magic evidence, crushing blow or perjury BS that she can serve up. She is charged criminally and unless she admits guilt and takes a plea she has to go to trial. Does she really believe that veterinarians from Michigan State University, lab reports, x-rays, former volunteers and rescue organizations can't communicate how dire the animals conditions were?? As far as her saying she "overheard" the prosecutor telling the haters he really doesn't want to go to trial can you say Pinocchio Someone is about to get a big dose of humble pie. Hope she is hungry. Be the voice for the voiceless, see you all June 2nd. The animals need us.”

The Devoted Barn was keeping different kinds of farm animals on property off Foley Road, east of Hartland Road in Tyrone Township. Numerous complaints were registered with authorities and a search warrant was executed in January of 2024 with 64 animals seized including goats, pigs, donkeys, sheep, a llama, and an alpaca. The animals were all relocated and evaluated. 4 pigs were euthanized.

Past volunteers raised concerns about the welfare of the animals. Complaints have included a lack of shelter, insufficient food, and multiple species being kept in the same pens. Borden has denied those accusations on social media.

In the second court case, Borden is charged with abandoning or cruelty to 4 to 10 animals, with a listed offense of April 23rd, 2024. That was tied to animals being housed at a farm in Oceola Townships. Some were seized and others relocated. A final settlement conference is scheduled before Circuit Court Judge Suzanne Geddie July 11th.

Borden earlier agreed to surrender the animals and was ordered to pay more than $102,000 in costs for the county caring for the animals. She has also denied those cost estimate accusations on social media.

Meanwhile, the rescue has relocated in the past due to legal battles and issues with multiple municipalities – including Tyrone Township.

Borden had also been charged in Genesee County last April with animal abandoning/cruelty after authorities found dozens of crated dogs living in alleged filthy conditions on property off East Hill Road in Grand Blanc. Sheriff Chris Swanson at the time told WNEM television "Melissa Border had left a trail of destruction in two other counties before they came to Genesee County. People like this, that have no business being in the animal care industry, can go from one county to the next to the next, and almost shop their geography. That's what happened here." Court records show those charges were later dismissed without prejudice – meaning they could be re-filed at a future time.

It’s unclear where the organization is currently operating out of.

Its website states they successfully closed on a new property to serve a permanent home for the animals and organization. The mailing address is only listed as a Post Office Box - “The Devoted Barn, 210 S. Leroy Street, Box 592, Fenton, MI 48430”. In the video post, Borden said volunteers were running things and she is not currently involved at the farm. The Devoted Barn Facebook page does not list any address but provides different ways to donate.

A link to the blog and video is provided.

Facebook photo.