Alachua County authorities are working to unravel what happened on a quiet stretch of NW County Road 235 after a 61-year-old woman was found unresponsive in the front yard of a home late on March 19. Crews with Alachua County Fire Rescue pronounced her dead at the scene. A child she had been babysitting was found unharmed inside the home, and two bulldogs on the property were later taken into custody by county animal services.
Investigation and scene processing
Officers with the Alachua Police Department responded to a reported medical emergency around 7 p.m. on March 19, according to News4JAX. A detective and representatives from the medical examiner’s office processed the front yard and surrounding area into the night. The cause of death has not yet been determined and remains under review pending an autopsy.
Dogs seized, child unharmed
Two bulldogs that were on the property had been secured in a fenced section of the yard when authorities arrived. Alachua County Animal Resources later took custody of both dogs, in keeping with its role overseeing intake, temporary shelter, and veterinary evaluation for seized or found animals in unincorporated parts of the county, according to Alachua County Animal Resources. Officials said the child in the home was not injured.
No additional details released
Investigators have not publicly released any further information about the woman’s death, including whether foul play is suspected or what role, if any, the dogs may have had. Authorities say they are continuing to process evidence and await autopsy results, News4JAX reports.
