Dog killed 6-month-old baby left unsupervised, Ohio officials say. Mom sentenced
An Ohio woman was sentenced to prison after officials said her 6-month-old baby was mauled to death by a dog after being left unsupervised.
Alyssa Smith was convicted of third-degree felony child endangering and sentenced to three years in prison, Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan said in an Oct. 17 Facebook post.
In April 2024, Smith left her 6-month-old baby unsupervised with a young child, Grogan said. That’s when her and her boyfriend’s dog attacked the baby, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Grogan said it was Smith’s recklessness that led to the baby’s “horrific” death.
Smith’s boyfriend, Blake Bates, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and is waiting to be sentenced.
The dog warden had warned Bates in the past about the dog after another child was attacked, WSYX reported.
“This sentence holds a mother accountable for failing her infant in the most tragic way,” Grogan said. “Smith’s actions in ignoring the dog’s history showed a pattern of irresponsibility that cost baby Royal his life.”
Grogan said the baby’s death was preventable.
“Parents must prioritize their kids above all, and this sentence warns that failure can lead to prison,” Grogan said.
