Priscilla Ashley Dawn Martin, 33, pleaded not guilty on Thursday, July 23, to 15 criminal counts stemming from what Newport Beach police described as 18 dogs locked inside a sweltering vehicle on the Fourth of July.

Orange County Superior Court Commissioner Eric Isaac released Martin without bail, over prosecutors' objections, but ordered her to have no access to any animals while the case is pending. The Orange County District Attorney's Office had argued for $50,000 bail given the severity of the allegations, according to the New York Post.

The charges include three felony counts of animal cruelty by a caretaker, 11 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty by a caretaker, and one misdemeanor count of unlawful disposal of an animal carcass, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

Martin, listed as being from Indianapolis but described by prosecutors as homeless, allegedly claimed to operate a nonprofit animal rescue called K9 Paws Rescue Inc., also known as Canine Paws Rescue Inc. The California Attorney General's Registry of Charities and Fundraisers has no record of either organization, prosecutors said. Registration is required before soliciting charitable donations in California.

What Newport Beach police found

Officers responded to a report of dogs locked in a vehicle on Saturday, July 4, and found 18 dogs inside, including 14 confined in wire crates and plastic carriers, according to Stu News Newport. Many were covered in feces, suffering from heat distress, and had no access to water.

Thirteen of the 14 dogs seized were puppies with intestinal parasites. Two six-week-old Golden Retriever puppies were in critical condition. One was euthanized due to severe, untreated parasites; the other recovered, according to Fox LA.

Martin is also accused of dragging a dead dog from her vehicle and leaving the body in bushes in Irvine, captured on surveillance video. A necropsy determined that dog died of heat stroke consistent with being left inside a hot vehicle, the DA's office said.

Arrest and additional dogs

Investigators located Martin in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, July 22, and arrested her on suspicion of animal cruelty, according to the OC Register. At the time of her arrest, another 14 dogs were found in her vehicle. All dogs from both incidents are under the care of municipal animal control workers.

The criminal complaint accuses Martin of committing animal abuse on Saturday, July 4, and Sunday, July 12. Prosecutors said additional charges could be filed, according to the Daily Pilot.

"The abuse of animals will never be tolerated, and anyone who engages in violence or neglect against animals will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a statement on Friday, July 24.

What's next

Martin is due back in court on Friday, July 31, for a pretrial hearing at the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach. Deputy District Attorney Danica Drotman of the Animal Cruelty Unit is prosecuting the case. If convicted on all counts, Martin faces up to 15 years and 10 months in state prison.

Residents who suspect animal cruelty can contact Newport Beach Animal Control at 949-644-3717.