A 1-year-old boy was attacked and killed by his babysitter's pit bull. A babysitter left a toddler alone with aggressive dogs and a 13-year-old daughter. The babysitter is now facing multiple felonies for the baby's tragic death.
Heather Rodriguez, a 36-year-old family friend, was assigned to babysit 1-year-old Jilia Johnson on Monday morning. But Rodriguez was reportedly called away to work and left the baby at home in San Antonio, Texas, with her 13-year-old daughter and three pit bulls.
“What did this woman, this suspect, think would happen in a house full of vicious dogs?”
The 13-year-old boy and the baby were in the home's bedroom. However, the dogs broke down the door and forced their way into the bedroom.
Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar called the teen a “hero” for trying to save a baby from a dog.
“I read the report in detail and it was heartbreaking. She tried everything she could, including lifting the baby over her head, but my understanding is that the dog was actually “He was able to climb up on the roof and rip the baby out of her hands,” Salazar said of the 13-year-old girl.
“The 13-year-old girl was able to maintain control of the baby, but at this point it was described as a tug-of-war between at least one of the babies over the baby.'' The dog and the girl. ” Salazar said in his speech. press conference.
“This little girl was put in a situation where she went from her bedroom to the bathroom to another bedroom and the dogs chased her every step of the way and kept biting her as well,” Salazar added.
The girl barricaded herself and her toddler in a separate bedroom, where she was able to call for help.
“I consider her a hero,” Salazar said of the girl.
“This girl injured herself,” Salazar said. said. “I think she will have lasting psychological effects as a result.”
“I'm thankful for that child, because … she tried her best,” said Jirija's mother, Erica Castro.
Deputies with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office were unable to immediately contact the children upon arriving at the scene.
“It wasn't until the suspect, the owner of the dog, actually got home and was able to get the dog out so police could come in and start giving first aid to the baby,” Salazar said. .
The boy suffered severe head and throat injuries from the dog attack.
Paramedics rushed the boy to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead late Monday.
KENS-TV There were reportedly blood stains on the bed, door and floor.
salazar blown up Babysitter: “What did this woman, this suspect, think would happen in a house full of vicious dogs?”
The sheriff added: “If you have a dog like that, if you know it’s aggressive, if you know it’s a problem, first of all, never bring a baby into your home, especially someone else’s baby. ” he added.
Salazar said Rodriguez “seemed to be more concerned about what was happening to the dogs” than to take responsibility for his actions that led to the 1-year-old's death.
“You left my son with a 13-year-old girl. That's pure and utter belligerence. It's upsetting that that was allowed to happen. That she made that choice.”
Salazar noted that Rodriguez was charged in April with letting his dog run loose and causing a man to flee into his car when he feared he would be attacked.
“I'm outraged by the fact that she knew there was a problem with these dogs,” Salazar said. declared. “Not only was she exposing her children to an unpredictable animal that was already causing harm, and in my opinion, they were already dangerous. But not only that, she was exposing her children to an unpredictable animal that was already causing harm, and they were already dangerous. I decided to bring the baby to the mansion for the sake of it.”
“I'm tired of everything,” Salazar said.
Rodriguez was initially charged with intentionally causing serious bodily injury to a child, a first-degree felony. Rodriguez then strike Two additional felonies are included. One is injury to a child, which is reckless bodily injury, and the other is endangering a child, causing imminent danger, causing bodily injury.
Salazar was asked why he did not upgrade the charge to murder, saying that both charges carry the same punishment range as murder, meaning that if convicted, he could be sentenced to 5 to 99 years in prison or life in prison. pointed out that fines of up to $10,000 could be imposed.
Rodriguez's bond was set at $100,000.
Salazar is asking for the dog involved in the deadly attack to be euthanized, but acknowledged that was the decision of animal control.
Regarding the pit bull, the sheriff said, “At this time, it is our understanding that only one has been fully surrendered. The other two were surrendered to animal control, but after speaking with the director of public health this morning, we will be surrendering them.” I intend to do so,” he said. We're pushing, they're going to keep pushing too, and of course we're going to play a support role to see if we can go ahead and get all three dogs into full surrender. . ”
Salazar said if the dogs are not surrendered voluntarily, the Bexar County Sheriff's Office will use court proceedings to permanently seize the other two pit bulls.
grieving mother said“I'm shaking and having a panic attack.”
The boy's father, Julian Johnson, accused the babysitter of abandoning his son.
“You left my son in the care of a 13-year-old girl. This is pure and utter belligerence. It's upsetting that it was allowed to happen. That she made that choice,” Johnson said.
a gofundme A campaign has been launched to help families with medical and funeral costs.
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