Mom Pleads Guilty in Elmhurst Cat Stabbing Case

Elmhurst, IL — Kelly Palermo of Chicago has pleaded guilty to felony aggravated animal cruelty for holding down a cat while her daughter stabbed it to death in an Elmhurst apartment.

Palermo, 51 of the 5900 block of N. Ozanam in Chicago, entered the guilty plea Tuesday, according to the Chicago Tribune and DuPage County records, though the plea did not come with a sentence agreement.

Palermo's trial was originally scheduled for July 26.

Kelly Palermo and her daughter, Samantha Palermo, 22 of the 900 block of S. Euclid in Elmhurst, were each arrested June 10, 2015, and charged with aggravated animal cruelty, according to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.

• See also: Mother and Daughter Stabbed Family Cat to Death: State's Attorney

That night, Kelly and Samantha were at Samantha's home in Elmhurst when Kelly became angry at the cat.

Kelly Palermo picked up the cat and held it while Samantha Palermo stabbed it several times, according to the state’s attorney’s office.

Kelly Palermo’s teenage son got the cat away from Kelly and called 911, but Kelley took the cat back from her son and held it down while Samantha Palermo stabbed it several more times and killed it, according to prosecutors.

Kelly Palermo is set to appear in court Sept. 12, according to DuPage County records.

Photo courtesy of the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.