A Florida mother charged with having sexual contact with a dog has thanked her supporters in a new Facebook post, declaring "I will shine again" after being released on bail.
Malia Nummerdor, 38, is accused of engaging in sexual contact with the family pet after her estranged husband allegedly caught her on home CCTV cameras in Punta Gorda, Florida. She has denied the allegations.
Support and bail conditions
Nummerdor is currently out on bail and staying with friends. Sources say the insurance agent is permitted to visit her £70,000 Punta Gorda residence for evening meals because she has nowhere else to stay, though it remains unclear why she cannot stay overnight. The dogs reportedly remain in the house.
Supporters have launched a GoFundMe page and offered Facebook backing after Nummerdor reportedly claimed her partner framed her. She has begun replying to positive messages on her social media account.
One supporter, Andre Bernard, posted: "Keep ya head up girl we here for u". Nummerdor replied: "Only keep it down long enough to pray!!! Cannot thank my real ones enough".
Bernard responded: "That's all we really need is some prayers so happy your out u ever need a sound mind to speak to I'm here known u for over 25 yrs plus u still a star in my book." Nummerdor added: "THANK YOUUUUU!!!!! I will shine again".
Another supporter, Vianney Denisse Car, wrote: "Sending you love.. I'm here for you too!!!" Nummerdor replied: "love you baby! Thank you soooo much from the bottom of my heart".
Husband's allegations
The investigation began on September 11, when her estranged husband, Erik Nummerdor, accused her of the abuse on Facebook. Erik claimed hidden bedroom cameras installed to track stolen coin-jar money caught her partially nude with the dog, named Rancher (referenced as Ranger in court records).
Erik, who admitted he has been in prison, claimed "I'm going to need therapy" after allegedly catching his wife in the act. He added he had been the target of online hate and that people would rather "see me hanged than tell the truth" in a video posted to his Facebook page last month.
He said: "There's a lot that's gonna come to the table and it's messy, it's ugly, but for anyone who thinks that I didn't consider our kids, these families, our friends, with this - I thought really hard about this and ultimately I know I did the right thing, and I was put here to speak for the ones who couldn't speak for themselves."
"There's so much hate in this world and I'm getting so much of it for standing up for what's right. I'm gonna need some help, I don't want money, I need some therapy for sure because my brain is just gone because of all this."
Court proceedings
Nummerdor reportedly is not permitted to see her two sons as the investigation continues. The case has unsettled her quiet neighbourhood, where she reportedly faces threatening mail from animal lovers.
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office confirmed to the Daily Star that Malia was released on bail and is due to appear in court soon. When interviewed, she is said to have acknowledged the video with the dog but said there was no sexual contact, claiming she was just petting the dog.
