Evi the bobcat is back home after being away for about a week. She’s being fed slowly, as she’s lost about 1/3 of her body weight, according to Reflection Riding president Mark McKnight. / Photo provided by her caretaker Taylor Berry
The suspect who allegedly let a bobcat loose from the Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center last week was charged Monday afternoon, just hours after the animal returned home.
Cayden Melia, 21, was issued a citation in lieu of an arrest for criminal trespassing and vandalism. He has until July 14 to turn himself in.
The investigator wrote in a report that they did not believe there was any intent for theft and the bobcat escaped to the damage done to the cage, according to Chattanooga Police Department spokeswoman Elisa Myzal.
Evi is home eating a meatball from her caretaker Taylor Berry. She’s being fed slowly, as she’s lost about 1/3 of her body weight since she’s been away from her enclosure, according to Reflection Riding president Mark McKnight. / Photo provided by Taylor Berry
Melia is one of two suspects believed to have been involved in the criminal activity. The suspects also allegedly damaged the enclosure for the nature center’s bald eagle.
Evi, the missing bobcat, wandered back to her enclosure at the nature center shortly before 11 a.m. Monday.