‘Dance of Life Dancer’ faces animal torture charge in St. Clair County
%20(1)%20(1)%20(1).jpg "The “Dance of Life Dancer” faces charges of animal torture.")
Susan Stone, who is known as the “Dance of Life Dancer” from Lenzburg, has been charged with animal torture and depicting animal cruelty on allegations she held a live mouse over and in the flame of a gas stove and posted a YouTube video of her actions.
The animal torture charge is a felony, according to charging documents filed by St. Clair County State’s Attorney Jim Gomric’s office.
Count 2 against Stone alleges she created a video of animal cruelty by recording the live mouse being held over and in a flame of a gas stove. The charge also alleges she then published and disseminated the video on YouTube for commercial gain or entertainment, which is classified as a misdemeanor.
Stone, 63, was arrested by St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department deputies at 10:20 p.m. Friday. She was released from the county jail on Tuesday night and is required to wear an ankle monitor, sheriff department records show.
Stone could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Court records do not list a defense attorney for Stone.
A caller notified the sheriff’s department about the video, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Lt. James Hendricks said.
“We received a call reporting that the video had been posted showing animal torture. Our deputy watched the video, and that was the basis for the charges,” Hendricks said.
The incident occurred between May 1, 2024, and Oct. 23.
Stone was arraigned in St. Clair County Associate Judge Sara Rice’s courtroom before she was released from jail. Stone’s next court date has not been set.
Stone’s previous criminal record includes convictions for property damage for slashing dozens of tires in Belleville in 2010 and for damage to state-supported property for destroying a Lenzburg water meter in 2012.
Hendricks said Stone is known as the “Dance of Life Dancer.”
Stone drives a pink minivan with ballerinas on it and a decal that says “Dance of Life Dancer.” Stone has been seen at St. Louis metro area festivals, where she wore tutus and danced.
