Desperate Texas influencer seeks return of sick monkey lost in drunk driving crash

A spider monkey named Jorgie Boy belonging to a Dallas-area influencer, Brandi Botello, was taken from her by police after a single-vehicle accident. Botello was found intoxicated and with the monkey in her arms, but she claimed she was not driving. The driver, a male acquaintance, was charged with public intoxication. Jorgie Boy was diagnosed with rickets, a bone disease caused by malnutrition, and taken to an undisclosed wildlife sanctuary in Texas for care. The sanctuary reported that the monkey was severely underweight and had other health issues. Botello, who has a significant social media following, has been campaigning to have Jorgie Boy returned to her, claiming she is a good mother to the monkey. However, authorities have stated that the monkey will not be returned to her. Botello’s story bears similarities to that of Peanut, an Instagram-famous squirrel whose owner was found to be illegally keeping wild animals in his home. Authorities seized and euthanized Peanut as a result. Jorgie Boy’s case has sparked debate about exotic animal ownership in Texas, where permits are required but some cities, like Irving, prohibit ownership of wild animals.

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