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Police charged a Texas woman with child injury after a 1-year-old was mauled by pit bulls. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar announced that authorities arrested Heather Rodriguez, 36, for leaving Jiryiah Johnson in a home with pit bulls.
PEOPLE states that Rodriguez was babysitting Jiryiah on (Oct. 7) and then allegedly left the child in the care of her 13-year-old daughter.
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Latest Details On 1-Year-Old Mauled By Dogs
USA Today reports that Sheriff Salazar claims the dogs broke into the bedroom by destroying a damaged bathroom door.
“The 13-year-old was able to maintain control of the baby, but at this point, it was being described to me as almost a tug-of-war for the baby between at least one of the dogs and the little girl,” Sheriff Salazar explained per News4SanAntonio.
Investigators revealed that other dogs purportedly joined the attack, also biting the 13-year-old. The teen managed to escape, called 911, and then returned to shield Jiryiah from the dogs. After calling 911, the teen took the baby into another bedroom and barricaded the door, according to Salazar. She then positioned herself to block the dogs from entering.
When deputies arrived, they took control of the scene and started administering first aid to the baby, according to USA Today. Emergency responders then transported the boy to the hospital.
News4SanAntonio reported that officials rushed Jiryiah to the hospital, where doctors performed numerous medical procedures to stabilize his condition. However, Sheriff Salazar revealed that Jiryiah eventually succumbed to his injuries, including a severely damaged windpipe that allegedly made it impossible for him to breathe on his own.
Salazar also mentioned a past incident involving Heather Rodriguez’s dogs, where a caller alleged that a pit bull blocked them from exiting their car. He stated that he didn’t think Jiryiah’s parents were aware of that incident before allowing Rodriguez to babysit him.
A GoFundMe set up for Jiryiah Johnson’s funeral expenses has collected over $17,000.
More Info On Babysitter’s Charges & What’s Next For Her And The Dogs
PEOPLE states that Heather Rodriguez faces charges of injury to a child with intent, reckless injury to a child, and endangering a child. The outlet further explains that it remains unclear whether Rodriguez has entered a plea or hired an attorney.
While speaking with USA Today, Sheriff Salazar stated that at least two of Rodriguez’s four dogs took part in the fatal attack, though he suspects all of them might have been involved. He also believes authorities should “put down” any dogs involved in the incident because a baby’s life holds greater importance. Bexar County Animal Control currently holds the dogs and will decide their fate.
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