NORTH TEXAS — Brandi Botello isn’t sure how she will get her pet spider monkey back.
The 29-year-old said Dallas Police stripped her of the animal during an alcohol-related crash where Botello noted she was the passenger.
Botello did not provide documents or a case number for CBS News Texas to confirm all of the details, including a charge of DWI. Irving Police, however, verified an incident because the animal wound up in their jurisdiction.
“People might think like she’s being delusional. Like she’s not going to get them back,” Botello said. “And I’m just like, I’m going to keep fighting because that’s what moms do.”
The self-proclaimed influencer went public with her campaign to get “Jorge Boy” back through GoFundMe, where she’s raised over $3,700. There was a single $3,000 donation.
Botello said she bought the spider monkey in Dallas from a friend’s ex-boyfriend in February 2022. She said the uniqueness of having him collided with the challenges of caring for an exotic animal.