The torture happened on Tuesday 6/19, but the first article didn't appear in the paper until the following Saturday (6/23) Some of the links have photos. They're not as bad as I had expected them to be, but so incredibly heart breaking!!
June 23
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20070623/NEWS/70623010/1033/NEWS01
June 24
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20070624/NEWS/706240391/1033/NEWS01
June 25
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20070625/NEWS/70625023/1033/NEWS01
June 26
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20070626/NEWS/706260359/1033/NEWS01
"I was in shock. I didn't know whether I should grab him with my hands or a wet towel," said Bowlan. "I picked him up and walked him to the bathroom and turned on the water in the sink. He turned his head and started lapping water from my hand."
"I didn't think he was going to make it until he looked at me in the eye. He wanted to live," said Bowlan, crying.
June 27
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20070627/NEWS/706270375/1033/NEWS01
...Hinkle said she took Adam home Monday evening and that her 14-year-old daughter "stayed up with him all night." She said Adam continues to eat and that he was even playful at 2 a.m.
June 28
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20070628/NEWS/70628022/1033/NEWS01
June 29
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20070629/NEWS/706290355/1033/NEWS01
Garcia said an adult committing such a crime could be charged with a felony, punishable by a $20,000 fine and a year in prison. "I don't know what the penalty would be for a juvenile," he said. "That's something that would be determined by the district attorney."
June 30
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20070630/NEWS/706300329/1033/NEWS01
The person suspected of torching a feral kitten inside a cage last week along the banks of Paulin Creek has signed a statement that will be submitted to the district attorney next week as part of a case for criminal prosecution, according to officials. ... Villalon identified the suspect as a 15-year-old girl who lives in Santa Rosa's Apple Valley neighborhood, near the site where the kitten was set on fire.
July 6
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20070706/NEWS/707060363/1033/NEWS01
DA is reviewing the case: Adam underwent more surgery this week, including a skin graft on his hind section and the removal of parts of his burned ears.
The surgery was performed by veterinarian Lisa Alexander of the Animal Care Center in Rohnert Park. The work was done free of charge, according to Forgotten Felines, a local nonprofit organization that has taken charge of Adam's recovery.
July 9
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20070709/NEWS/70709026/1033/NEWS01
Two 15-year-old girls have been arrested in connection with a kitten being burned alive in Santa Rosas Apple Valley neighborhood, authorities said Monday.
We will fully prosecute this case of animal cruelty to ensure that those responsible are held accountable, District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua said in a written statement announcing the arrests.
July 10
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20070710/NEWS/707100359/1033/NEWS01
15-year-old girls to be charged with felony animal cruelty in SR attack on feral cat
Both girls were arrested Friday on suspicion of felony animal cruelty, which could result in up to three years' confinement, Passalacqua said.
...She said Adam is no longer on pain medications between surgeries. She said when he's at home with her at night, he bats toys around, pulls curtains and generally acts like a normal kitten. "He doesn't know how bad it is," she said.
July 11
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20070711/NEWS/707110340/1033/NEWS01
Some are calling for the two teen girls arrested in the now-infamous kitten-burning incident to be placed inside a cage and torched alive.
Some want the two shackled and publicly humiliated, while still others say they would attack and beat them if they saw them on the street.
"Animal cruelty will not be tolerated in this county," he said. "I certainly understand the public's dismay over the maltreatment of an innocent animal. We hope that by filing charges these individuals will be held accountable and that it will prevent similar behavior in the future."
July 13
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20070713/NEWS/70713018/1033/NEWS01
11-year-old may claim burned kitten reward
Every few minutes a child knocks on Irma Hernandezs apartment door in Santa Rosas Apple Valley neighborhood, ready to hand over a dollar for an ice cream cone. Its a way for her to supplement her husbands modest income as a construction worker.
Hernandezs 11-year-old son, Cesar, said he never imagined that spotting the teenage girls standing next to a cage on the other side of the creek would lead to a $10,000 reward.
But it wasnt the reward that prompted Cesar to tell a reporter several weeks ago what he had seen. In fact, he said he doesnt know why he spoke up, only that he felt bad for the torched kitten, which has since been given the name, Adam.
At Hernandezs apartment, Cesar opens the door when a neighborhood youth knocks for an ice scream cone. His 7-year-old sister, Karina, goes to the refrigerator, pulls out a tub of ice cream and puts a scoop on the cone.
Hernandez said that if they end up getting any of the reward, she would like to buy her children some new school clothes, a new bed for Cesar and maybe a computer.
When asked what he would like, Cesar said, I dont know.