A babysitter has been arrested after the one-year-old child in her care was tragically mauled to death by pit bulls after she left the house and left her daughter in charge of the baby.
This is too sad for words.
At a glance:
- A 1-year-old boy in Texas was mauled to death by a pack of pit bulls while in the care of babysitter Heather Rodriguez, 36.
- Rodriguez left the child with her 13-year-old daughter, who heroically tried to save the baby but was unable to prevent the fatal attack.
- Rodriguez has been arrested and charged with injury to a child with serious bodily injury by omission, and may face further charges.
In a tragic incident in Converse, Texas, 1-year-old Jiryiah Johnson was fatally mauled by three pit bulls while under the care of babysitter Heather Rodriguez, 36. According to Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, Rodriguez had left the baby alone with her 13-year-old daughter and the dogs when one of the pit bulls broke through a bedroom door and began attacking the child. Despite the teenager’s brave attempts to protect the baby, the other two dogs soon joined the vicious attack.
Sheriff Salazar described the teen’s efforts as heroic, explaining that she tried to shield the baby and even engaged in what he called a “tug-of-war” with the dogs to save him. When the attack escalated, the teen attempted to hide with the child in the bathroom, but the pit bulls broke through the door. The teen then managed to escape to another bedroom, where she called police and barricaded herself in until first responders arrived. Photos from the scene revealed severe damage to the doors caused by the dogs.
The baby sustained severe injuries to his neck and face and was rushed to the University Hospital of San Antonio for emergency surgery. Sadly, Jiryiah succumbed to his injuries and passed away at 9:30 p.m. the following day.
Rodriguez was arrested and is facing a first-degree felony charge for injury to a child with serious bodily injury by omission. She may also face additional charges related to her daughter’s injuries, as the teen was bitten multiple times during the attack.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl141aQ_WSI
Authorities seized the three pit bulls involved in the attack, though Rodriguez allegedly protested their removal. Sheriff Salazar expressed concern over her prioritization of the dogs over the well-being of the child. Rodriguez had previously been cited by police for allowing her dogs to roam unleashed after they trapped someone in a car, yet she was allowed to keep the animals at that time.
This heartbreaking incident has raised questions about the safety and responsibilities of pet owners, especially when it comes to dangerous breeds and child supervision.