January 30, 2026

Charleston Woman Arrested Again in Cat Theft Case

Charleston SC, January 30, 2026

Katherine Barnes, a food delivery driver, has been arrested once more in connection with the theft of a calico cat named Willa. This latest arrest comes after authorities found Willa’s collar and tracking device discarded in Charleston, leading to a littering charge against Barnes. The Charleston community is rallying for Willa’s return, as she remains missing since being taken from her home in January.

Charleston Woman Jailed Again in Connection with Cat Theft Case

Charleston, SC – A woman previously identified as a suspect in the disappearance of a beloved calico cat named Willa has been taken into custody once more. Katherine Barnes, a local food delivery driver, was recently jailed on a littering charge after authorities located Willa’s discarded collar and tracking device. This latest arrest, occurring within the last 48 hours, marks a new development in a case that has captured the attention of the Charleston community since Willa went missing.

Details of the Recent Arrest and Connection to Willa’s Disappearance

The recent jailing of Katherine Barnes stems from a littering offense involving items directly linked to the stolen cat, Willa. The items, Willa’s collar and an AirTag, were discovered discarded approximately a mile from where the cat was last seen. The presence of these items provided a critical piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation into Willa’s whereabouts and led to the new charge.

This development follows an earlier arrest where Barnes was charged with petty larceny in connection with Willa’s initial disappearance. The community, alongside law enforcement, has been actively involved in the efforts to locate Willa since she vanished from the Church Street area of Charleston on January 15th.

The Case of Willa: A Timeline of Events

The incident began on January 15th when Willa, a 4-year-old calico cat, was reported missing from her home near Church Street. Her family became aware of her disappearance when an alert from her AirTag indicated she was blocks away. Through diligent review of security footage from the area, the family identified a food delivery driver, later identified as Katherine Barnes, allegedly scooping Willa into a car and driving away.

Shortly after Willa’s disappearance, her collar and the AirTag were found ripped off and tossed to the side of a street, approximately a mile from her home. This discovery solidified the family’s belief that Willa had been stolen. The evidence gathered from the security footage and the discarded items led to Barnes’ initial arrest on a petty larceny charge.

Despite the arrests, Willa remains missing. Her last known location was reported to be Goose Creek. Willa is microchipped, and her family continues to appeal to the public for assistance in bringing her home, especially with prevailing freezing weather conditions. They urge anyone who finds Willa to take her to a local animal shelter or vet clinic where her microchip can be scanned.

Littering Laws in South Carolina

The littering charge against Barnes highlights specific aspects of South Carolina’s anti-littering statutes. In South Carolina, law enforcement typically requires prima facie evidence—proof that clearly links a person to the discarded litter—to issue a citation. This can include identifying information found on the discarded items, such as a name or address, even if the act of littering was not directly witnessed by an officer.

South Carolina Code Section 16-11-700 prohibits the dumping or disposing of solid waste on public or private property without permission. Penalties for littering offenses vary depending on the amount of litter. For instance, dumping less than 15 pounds of litter can result in a fine ranging from $25 to $100, in addition to eight hours of community service, often involving litter cleanup.

Furthermore, state law allows local law enforcement agencies to issue civil penalty citations to the registered owner of a vehicle from which litter is unlawfully discarded, even if the act was not committed in the presence of an officer. This can be based on eyewitness evidence and information submitted to the agency, with a rebuttable presumption that the registered owner committed the offense. Such a civil penalty is a mandatory fifty dollars.

The legal framework surrounding littering underscores the state’s commitment to maintaining environmental cleanliness and can play a significant role in investigations where discarded items serve as crucial evidence, as seen in the ongoing case of Willa.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Who was recently jailed again in Charleston in connection with a cat theft case?

A: Katherine Barnes, a local food delivery driver, was recently jailed again.

Q: Why was Katherine Barnes jailed again?

A: She was jailed on a littering charge after authorities located Willa’s discarded collar and tracking device.

Q: What is the name of the cat involved in the theft case?

A: The cat involved is a 4-year-old calico named Willa.

Q: When did Willa the cat go missing?

A: Willa was last seen by her family on January 15th near Church Street.

Q: What was Katherine Barnes’ previous charge related to Willa’s disappearance?

A: Katherine Barnes was previously arrested and charged with petty larceny in connection with Willa’s theft.

Q: Is Willa the cat still missing?

A: Yes, Willa remains missing, and her last known location was reported to be Goose Creek.

Q: What is “prima facie evidence” in South Carolina littering laws?

A: In South Carolina, “prima facie evidence” is proof that clearly links a person to the discarded litter, such as identifying information on the items, allowing a citation even if the act wasn’t witnessed.

Q: What are the typical penalties for littering less than 15 pounds in South Carolina?

A: Dumping less than 15 pounds of litter can result in a fine ranging from $25 to $100, plus eight hours of community service.

Key Features of the Charleston Cat Theft Case

Feature	Description	Scope
Suspect Identified	Katherine Barnes, a food delivery driver.	Local
Cat’s Name	Willa, a 4-year-old calico.	Local
Initial Incident Date	January 15th.	Local
Recent Arrest Charge	Littering (for discarding Willa’s collar and AirTag).	Local
Previous Arrest Charge	Petty larceny (in connection with the cat’s theft).	Local
Cat’s Current Status	Still missing; last known location Goose Creek.	Local
Key Evidence	Security footage and discarded collar with AirTag.	Local
South Carolina Litter Law (Prima Facie)	Requires proof clearly linking a person to litter, even without eyewitness.	State-level
Littering Penalties (Less than 15 lbs)	Fines ($25-$100) and community service (8 hours).	State-level