A babysitter who was watching over a 1-year-old boy in Texas was attacked and killed by a pack of pit bulls after he was left alone with his teenage daughter, police said.
Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar told reporters that baby Jilia was found dead early Monday morning after her babysitter, Heather Rodriguez, 36, left her with her 13-year-old daughter and three dogs at her home in Converse.・Mr. Johnson said he was attacked.
One of the pit bulls burst through the bedroom door and as the teenage girl tried to protect the baby, it began tearing the baby apart, joined by two other dogs. News4SA reported.
“The 13-year-old boy was able to maintain control of the baby, but at this point it was described to me as a tug-of-war between at least one of the dogs and the girl over the baby. '' Salazar said.
The boy tried to save the baby by taking him to the bathroom, but the dog was also able to get in there. After grabbing her cell phone to call the police, the girl went to another bedroom and barricaded the door with her body until help arrived. Photos showed the dog ripping a large chunk off the door.
The boy also suffered several bite wounds.
“Honestly, I think this 13-year-old is definitely a hero,” Salazar said.
Jirija was bitten on the neck and face and was taken by paramedics to a local hospital where she underwent emergency surgery. The sheriff's office announced in an update Tuesday that he died from his injuries at San Antonio University Hospital just before 9:30 p.m. Monday.
Rodriguez was arrested and charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission, a first-degree felony, and remains in the Bexar County Jail. Officials said additional charges could be filed as a result of the daughter's injuries.
Despite Rodriguez's protests, the three dogs were seized by authorities.
“If she's more worried about the dogs that were found to be involved in the attacks, does that mean she's more worried about keeping them away from us? That's concerning. . It will definitely be taken into account when deciding what to do with this woman going forward,” Salazar said.
The deadly attack was not the first time police responded to Rodriguez's home regarding her dog, News4SA reported.
Rodriguez was accused by police of locking a person in a car and then releasing his dog. After that incident, she was allowed to keep a dog.
