A tragedy unfolded in Bexar County as a 1-year-old baby, identified by the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office as Jiryiah Johnson, succumbed to injuries sustained during a vicious attack by pit bulls while under the supervision of a babysitter. The horrific incident took place at a residence on Spruce Ridge Drive near Kitty Hawk in Converse, where the babysitter, Heather Rodriguez, 36, is now faced with charges for her role in the events leading to the young child's death. According to the KSAT report, the cause and manner of Johnson's death were not immediately known following the mauling that occurred yesterday.
As detailed by Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, Rodriguez is accused of leaving the baby in an unsafe environment, with Salazar noting the dogs had damaged the door previously, enabling them to force their way into the room where the child was left. The unfortunate series of events led to a struggle, which Salazar described as a "tug of war" between at least one of the dogs and Rodriguez's 13-year-old daughter who attempted to protect the baby. This description was provided in an interview to ABC 3340.
Following the attack, the baby was rushed to the Brooke Army Medical Center in critical condition where he was not stable enough to be airlifted for further treatment, according to statements obtained by KSAT. The sheriff's office later disclosed that Jiryiah was transferred to University Hospital where he eventually passed away yesterday night, just before 9:30 p.m. Subsequently, Sheriff Salazar indicated that Rodriguez was charged with injury to a child with serious bodily injury by omission and she remains in custody at the Bexar County Jail.
Prior instances involving the dogs at Rodriguez's property had been reported. In April, deputies were dispatched after a caller claimed to be trapped in a vehicle due to the loose dogs, eliciting a response that ended with Rodriguez being cited for failing to restrain the animals. Neighbor testimonies gathered by KSAT reporters painted a grim portrait of the dangerous situation, with one neighbor stating, "Yeah, I was scared in my car; they were barking a lot, and they were really loud, and they looked really vicious." Sheriff Salazar also recognized the 13-year-old's bravery, commending her heroic actions even as she, too, was harmed during the grisly encounter.
As the investigation continues, Bexar County Child Protective Services has also become involved, looking into the welfare of both the late Jiryiah Johnson and the injured teenager. Meanwhile, the dogs have been seized by Animal Control.
