Va. Zoo Director Convicted In Wallaby Death

RESTON, Va. (AP) -- The director of the Reston Zoo has been found guilty of animal cruelty for drowning an injured wallaby.

Meghan Mogensen of Silver Spring, Md., was sentenced Friday after a one-day trial. She was sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined more than $1,000.

The 26-year-old Mogensen was arrested in June and charged with animal cruelty and possession of a controlled substance, and animal anesthetic she didn't have a proper license to possess.

A zoo employee taking care of the wallaby claimed Mogensen had drowned the injured animal.

According to court documents, Mogensen told authorities she euthanized the wallaby, but a doctor who examined the animal after its death found evidence consistent with drowning.

Mogensen's attorney says they will appeal the jail sentence. Mogensen's father, Eric Mogensen, owns the zoo.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)