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Cornell animal cruelty cases bound over

By Sophie Vogelmann 5 min read

ESCANABA -- The cases involving three Cornell residents facing nine animal-cruelty charges are now in the hands of the Delta County 47th Circuit Court.

Kruzz Makosky, Brianna Makosky and Nichole Jarvey appeared in the Delta County 94th District Court on Thursday to address no contact orders in their respective bond and to waive preliminary examinations.

The three co-defendants each face identical charges: eight counts of abandoning or cruelty to one animal resulting in the animal’s death and one count of abandoning or cruelty to 25 or more animals.

Jarvey and her son, Kruzz, were set to appear in court for preliminary examinations, though each signed waivers Thursday for their cases to be bound over to Circuit Court. Brianna's case had been bound over prior to Thursday.

During the hearing, Kruzz' attorney, Michael Brown, addressed Judge Steve Parks to discuss the no contact order between his client and Kruzz's wife, Brianna. Statements indicate Brown had requested the no contact order be lifted between the couple.

"At this time my client is not currently working. He is searching for a job. I think that only furthers the necessity of this request -- that this couple has limited financial resources, and in terms of just their basic ability to live and provide for each other, it is extremely important for them to be able to have contact," Brown said.

Kruzz is reportedly living in Pioneer Trail Park in a tent, and Brianna is "couch surfing," according to her attorney, Antonio Ruiz.

Ruiz -- who attended remotely -- told Parks that Brianna has upcoming appointments at Pathways Community Mental Health, and Kruzz is Brianna's main transporter. Brianna is also facing three felony counts of resisting and obstructing a police officer in a different case for allegedly assaulting three Michigan State Police (MSP) troopers during the search of the Cornell property.

Wickman then expressed concern over the possibility of the co-defendants living together.

"The state has an interest in preserving the evidence in the case, as well as ensuring that there is no further criminal conduct," Wickman said. "With the history related to not only this property, but this family, my concern is significant related to that communication and living together, residing together is going to continue to involve law enforcement, and law enforcement having to go out to the property.”

According to statements made by Jarvey's attorney, Cameron Nebel, Jarvey is barred from having contact not only with both Makoskys in the case, but also with her long-time partner, Robert Hildebrant. Hildebrant currently resides at the Cornell property owned by Jarvey.

Wickman noted it is her understanding that Hildebrant currently has one animal living on the property, and each co-defendant’s bond conditions prohibit them from owning or possessing animals or livestock.

"I absolutely am concerned about the allegations from Ms. Wickman that there is still an animal or animals on this property," Parks said. "If that, in fact, is true, I'm not inclined to allow (Jarvey) to go back to this property."

Jarvey's bond also contain a stipulation allowing Hildebrant to transport her to certain medical appointments. Nebel said Jarvey is dealing with significant medical issues, including being treated for lupus and "issues relative to some organ failures that are happening or potentially happening."

Jarvey was also reportedly in the process of getting Kruzz approved to work as her home caretaker, which would be a paid position.

While Nebel said Jarvey wished to have the no contact orders removed for Hildebrant and both Makoskys, Parks denied this request.

Parks ultimately lifted the no contact order between Kruzz and Brianna, though they cannot reside or be present on the Cornell property and cannot discuss the case. Parks maintained the no contact order between Jarvey and her son, Kruzz; daughter-in-law, Brianna; and her partner, Hildebrant, who is still allowed to transport Jarvey to certain medical appointments.

The three co-defendants charges stem from alleged offenses reported to have occurred between Dec. 1, 2025, and Feb. 3, 2026.

On Feb. 4, the MSP Gladstone Post executed a search warrant at the co-defendants' residence on County Road 426 in Cornell Township, where troopers found several deceased animals -- including cats, rabbits, pigs and goats -- and others in poor health.

The MSP Gladstone Post received a report the day prior to the search alleging animal neglect involving multiple individuals.

Troopers found several deceased animals -- including cats, rabbits, pigs and goats -- and others in a malnourished and unhealthy condition. According to the Delta Animal Shelter, 13 cats, 12 rabbits and one sheep were seized.

The Delta Animal Shelter (DAS) transported the seized animals to its facility in Escanaba, where they have remained under a police hold. This means none of the animals from the seizure can be adopted out, nor can they be spayed or neutered.

Since their arrival, two cats have given birth to litters of kittens — one litter of six and another of four — and one rabbit has given birth to two kits. The sheep was initially brought to the shelter before being placed in a foster home better suited to its needs.

A future court date has yet to be scheduled for the Makoskys and Jarvey.

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