28-05-2025
Charlotte woman whose dog was stolen calls for reform in juvenile justice system
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The Charlotte woman whose car and dog were reportedly stolen last month took aim at the juvenile justice system at Tuesday night's City Council meeting.
An adult suspect was arrested in connection with the thefts, and court documents show a juvenile was charged while others were questioned in the investigation. But Jayla Gittens is still without her 6-year-old French bulldog, Julio.
Gittens claims that after the theft occurred, she received 'taunting and threatening' calls and messages from the juveniles involved.
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'I want to talk to you about a crime that has left me heartbroken and frustrated with a system that seems to protect perpetrators more than the people they hurt,' she said.
The incident occurred on April 6, and on May 14, 37-year-old Kendra Hunter was booked into the Mecklenburg County Detention Center and charged with felony possession of stolen goods.
Court documents say that the dog's owner contacted investigators on May 1 to say that Hunter called her about the dog. Investigators reviewed her teenage son's cellphone, finding a photo of Julio.
'This isn't just a petty crime, this is cruel, deliberate and calculated behavior,' Gittens said. 'Yet most of the kids involved were sent home with no real consequences from parents or the law, and no accountability.'
In December, a new state law took effect where 16- and 17-year-old juveniles charged with Class A-E Felonies now begin their cases in adult court.
Gittens claims to be shielded from the identities of the juveniles.
'I feel like I was left in the dark while the kids who stole from me went back to school like nothing ever happens,' she said. 'These are patterns that the system is allowed to continue. That's the reality that we're living in… We need stronger protections for victims and real consequences for juvenile offenders, especially repeat offenders.'
A $5,000 reward is being offered by Crime Stoppers for information leading to an arrest.
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