Punta Gorda woman arrested on felony animal sexual contact charge

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — A Punta Gorda woman was arrested Monday after Charlotte County detectives said surveillance footage showed her engaging in sexual contact with a dog, according to a probable cause by the Charlotte County Sheriff's Department.

Malia Elizabeth Nummerdor was arrested Sept. 15 in Port Charlotte on one count of sexual contact with an animal, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office affidavit. A detective wrote that the charge stands as a second-degree felony under Florida law.

According to the affidavit, Detective Donald Woelke began investigating Sept. 11 after learning of public Facebook posts from Nummerdor’s estranged husband, Erik Nummerdor. The detective wrote that Erik alleged he had discovered surveillance footage showing Malia Nummerdor engaging in sexual activity with the family dog and said he had photographic and video evidence.

During a sworn interview Sept. 14, Erik told detectives he had installed two surveillance cameras inside the residence, including one in a bedroom, while trying to determine who had been taking money from a coin container, according to the affidavit. He told investigators the bedroom camera was visible and known to people in the home.

Erik provided detectives with screenshots and access to a laptop containing surveillance files, according to the affidavit. Woelke wrote that he reviewed images showing an adult woman, identified by Erik as Malia, positioned with the dog in a manner the detective described as consistent with sexual activity. Erik identified the dog as Ranger, according to the report.

The affidavit states that Erik and the owner of the laptop consented to law enforcement taking the computer for a forensic examination. Investigators described the digital evidence as corroboration beyond Erik’s statements.

Detectives interviewed Malia Nummerdor on Sept. 15, according to the affidavit. Investigators wrote that she said Erik had installed cameras without her knowledge, that the recordings were from 2024 and that he had previously threatened her with the videos.

According to the affidavit, Nummerdor identified herself in the room shown in the video and acknowledged the dog was hers but denied engaging in sexual conduct. She told detectives she had been lying with and petting her elderly dog near its bed. Investigators wrote that her explanation of her position and the dog’s placement was inconsistent with what they observed in the recording.

When detectives continued asking about the video, Nummerdor said she wanted to leave and requested an attorney, according to the affidavit. Investigators ended the interview and told her she was under arrest.