Danny Federico
The criminal trials of the founders of Branford’s Livin’ Like Larry Farm Sanctuary have been continued until February 2027 following discovery hearings in Portage County Common Pleas Court.
Krystal Detty, 45, and Brandon Detty, 41, appeared before Judge Becky L. Doherty on Wednesday, Aug. 12. Both previously pleaded not guilty to multiple charges stemming from allegations that they abused two minor children in Ohio between 2019 and 2021.
Both defendants waived their rights to a speedy trial and requested continuances. Their jury trials, previously scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 15, have been rescheduled for Monday, Feb. 22, 2027, at 9 a.m. Criminal pretrial hearings are scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 10 a.m.
Brandon’s attorney had initially filed a motion on Wednesday, Aug. 5, requesting a continuance because of a scheduling conflict with another trial. The court granted the motion on Aug. 12. Krystal’s attorney also requested a continuance that day, which the court granted.
Court records show discovery has been provided to Krystal Detty’s defense counsel. In Brandon Detty’s case, the court indicated partial discovery had been made available to defense counsel, with the remainder still to be provided.
Judge Doherty also reduced Brandon’s bond during the Aug. 12 hearing from $750,000 cash or surety to $100,000 cash or surety. The amended bond continues to require GPS monitoring and prohibits him from leaving Ohio or having contact with either Krystal or the alleged victims.
Brandon posted the $100,000 surety bond through Sly Bail Bonds on Thursday, Aug. 13.
Krystal filed a separate motion on Thursday, Aug. 6, asking the court to modify her bond to allow her to return to Florida while the case is pending.
In the motion, attorney Aaron A. Schwartz cited documented health concerns as the “most pressing reason” for the request. The motion states that Krystal also owns and operates a business and “simply cannot go months without keeping an active role in its operation.”
Schwartz further stated that Krystal traveled to Ravenna, Ohio, and turned herself in on the warrant and has “every intention of returning to Court and facing the allegations.” The motion asks the court to allow her to return to Florida or schedule a bond hearing to address the medical concerns. Two letters from Krystal’s primary physician were submitted in support of the motion.
In a Monday, Aug. 3, letter, Dr. Jennifer M. Pamfilie stated that Krystal has pigmentary retinal dystrophy, a progressive retinal disorder, and has experienced severe eye pain and headaches while in Ohio.
According to Pamfilie, the symptoms have “consistently coincided with fluctuations in barometric pressure and environmental conditions.” The physician stated that Krystal experienced substantial improvement after relocating to Florida approximately two and a half years ago and wrote that returning to Florida is “medically appropriate and advisable.”
A prior physician’s note dated Monday, July 6, states that when Krystal comes to Ohio, “the barometric pressure triggers her chronic pain” and that she would benefit from not traveling to the state.
As of press time, court documents did not include a ruling on Krystal’s request to return to Florida.
The Dettys were indicted by a Portage County grand jury on June 25. Brandon, identified by the Portage County Prosecutor’s Office as the biological father of the two children, is charged with two counts of endangering children and two counts of permitting child abuse. Prosecutors allege he recklessly created a substantial risk to the children’s health and safety, resulting in serious physical harm, and permitted abuse, torture, corporal punishment or cruel physical restraint.
Krystal, identified as the children’s stepmother, faces 10 counts of endangering children, two counts of gross sexual imposition and two counts of domestic violence. Prosecutors allege she abused the children, administered excessive corporal punishment and physical restraint, repeatedly imposed unwarranted disciplinary measures and violated her duty of care, resulting in serious physical harm.
The indictments further allege Krystal had sexual contact with one child by force or threat of force and with another child who was younger than 13 years of age, and that she knowingly caused or attempted to cause physical harm to both children.
The Portage County Prosecutor’s Office previously alleged the children were physically and psychologically abused over several years. It also alleged that Child Protective Services was contacted multiple times, but the children were threatened to remain silent. Additional allegations include that the children were subjected to severe beatings, cut with knives, tied up, waterboarded, denied food, locked in closets and sexually abused.
Both Brandon and Krystal have pleaded not guilty.
Riverbend News will continue to provide updates on the case as they become available.
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