‘Puppy Doe' Suspect Jailed for Stealing from Elderly Woman

Radoslaw Czerkawski was sentenced to three to five years in prison on Tuesday.

A 34-year-old Polish immigrant accused in an animal cruelty case that drew wide attention two years ago was sentenced to prison Tuesday for the theft of $130,000 from the elderly woman for whom he had been hired to look after, the Norfolk District Attorney's office confirms.

A Norfolk Superior Court jury found Radoslaw Czerkawski guilty of larceny Monday. His was sentenced to three to five years in prison on Tuesday.

District Attorney Michael Morrissey said 95-year-old Janina Stock's family hired Czerkawski as her caregiver partly because they shared Polish heritage and language. Morrissey said he abused her trust by stealing her assets at the end of her life.

“Janina Stock was over age 90 and in difficult health when Mr. Czerkawski was hired as her caretaker, based in part on their shared Polish heritage and language,” District Attorney Morrissey said. “He abused that trust, eventually helping himself to an enormous share of her personal assets at the end of her life. I am very pleased that this diligent jury has reached this verdict.”

Czerkawski was previously indicted on multiple counts of animal cruelty stemming from an incident that left a pit bull with severe injuries. Police dubbed the dog "Puppy Doe."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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