A 2-year-old Georgia boy was mauled to death by a daycare owner’s large dogs while she napped, police said.
The incident occurred around 3:45 p.m. Saturday at a home in Valdosta — a city in the state’s southern region — where police, firefighters and emergency responders found the boy deceased following an attack by two Rottweiler dogs.
Investigators determined Stacy Wheeler Cobb, 48, was allegedly running an unlicensed daycare. She told police she took a nap and thought the child was asleep, too.
While the boy was unattended, he went into the backyard and opened the dogs’ kennel. The dogs then escaped and fatally attacked.
He was identified as Kaimir Jones.
The toddler was the only child in Cobb’s care at the time.
Cobb was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and second-degree cruelty to children.
Lowndes County Animal Control officers took custody of the two Rottweilers and a third dog that was not involved in the attack.
The investigation remains ongoing, and detectives said additional charges may be filed.
“This is a horrible and tragic event that should have never occurred, but because of negligence on this offender’s behalf, a mother has tragically lost a child,” Valdosta Chief of Police Leslie Manahan said in the statement.
“I want to express our department’s deepest sympathy to the family. No words will ever ease their pain, but our hearts go out to them during this unimaginably difficult time. I also keep our first responders in my prayers, as they continue processing their response to this tragic scene.”
