The Converse woman at the center of last year’s fatal pit bull mauling of a 1-year-old boy has taken a plea deal and is now waiting to learn how long she will spend behind bars. Court filings and reporting indicate the agreement could translate to as much as 14 years in prison if the judge signs off. The case has reopened raw grief for the child’s family and continues to play out on both criminal and civil tracks. Officials say the sentencing hearing is set for June 1, as reported by KSAT.
Plea and charges
Bexar County court records show Heather Rodriguez, identified in filings as 37, faces two charges: endangering an injured child in imminent danger, a second-degree felony, and child endangerment, a state-jail felony. A source told KSAT that under the terms of the deal, Rodriguez could receive a maximum sentence of 14 years. She is scheduled to return to court for formal sentencing on June 1, 2026, after prosecutors secured indictments last year following a review of the case and a grand jury presentation.
How the attack unfolded
Investigators say the deadly attack happened on Oct. 7, 2024, at a home in the 9700 block of Spruce Ridge Drive in northeast Bexar County. According to arrest affidavits, three pit bulls forced their way into a bedroom where 1-year-old Jiryiah Johnson was with a 13-year-old girl. Deputies later described a desperate “tug of war” as the teenager tried to shield the baby from the dogs. Jiryiah was rushed to a hospital but died from his injuries. Those details were reported by the San Antonio Express-News.
Animals seized and euthanized
Ten days after the mauling, a judge ordered the three dogs involved in the case to be euthanized, according to court records. Bexar County Animal Control took custody of the animals under that order, and the condition of the dogs and the seizure process were outlined during later hearings. KSAT reported on the judge’s decision and how the animals were removed.
Civil suit and family reaction
In May 2025, Jiryiah’s parents filed a wrongful-death lawsuit seeking more than $1 million, court records show. The suit names Rodriguez and corporate landlord Blackstone Inc. among the defendants. According to the complaint, the landlord and related entities “knew or should have known” there were dangerous dogs on the property and alleges the animals had previously chewed through doors. The San Antonio Express-News reported on the filing and quoted the family’s attorney, who framed the lawsuit as an effort to get answers that go beyond the criminal case.
What the charges could mean
According to the Texas Penal Code, a second-degree felony conviction carries a possible sentence of 2 to 20 years in state prison. A state-jail felony is typically punishable by 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility and may also include fines. Sentencing exposure can shift based on enhancements, prior convictions and the specific terms of a plea agreement, and judges have discretion within the statutory ranges. At the June hearing, the court will decide whether to accept Rodriguez’s plea and what punishment to impose.
