A babysitter in Texas has been arrested and charged with felony injury to a child after she left a 1-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl unattended, resulting in the children being brutally attacked by the caregiver's four XL American bullies. The toddler remains in critical condition with severe head and airway injuries.
A babysitter in Converse, Texas, has been arrested and charged with felony injury to a child after leaving a 1-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl alone in her care, resulting in a horrific attack by the caregiver's dogs.
**Heather Rodriguez**, 36, is accused of leaving the children unsupervised with her four large American bullies, who broke into the bedroom where the children were being kept and attacked them.
Babysitter Arrested After Children Attacked by XL American Bullies
According to Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, Rodriguez left the home for unknown reasons, leaving the children in a bedroom with the dogs, despite knowing that the dogs were capable of causing harm.
The dogs breached the bedroom door by destroying a connecting bathroom door that they had previously damaged. Once inside, the dogs began mauling the toddler.
Babysitter Arrested After Children Attacked by XL American Bullies
The 13-year-old girl fought valiantly to protect the baby, but at one point, she had to leave the room to retrieve her cell phone and call for help.
Upon her return, the teenager found the baby had been left behind in the bathroom, where he was being attacked by the dogs. She barricaded herself and the baby in another room, using her body to prevent the dogs from entering.
Deputies arrived on the scene and provided first aid to the 1-year-old child before transporting him to the hospital. The toddler is currently in critical condition with severe head injuries and damage to his throat and airway.
Rodriguez has been charged with felony injury to a child and cited for allowing her dogs to run freely without a leash. Sheriff Salazar stated that two dogs appeared to be directly involved in the attack, but all four dogs may have participated.
Salazar commended the 13-year-old girl for her quick thinking and bravery, which likely prevented the situation from escalating further.
"I've got to be honest, the 13-year-old in this instance, I'm considering her a hero," Salazar said. "I think her actions led to the baby not being mauled even more seriously, or even killed as a result of this savage dog attack."
Child Protective Services has been contacted to monitor the welfare of the children, particularly the toddler's physical health and the teenager's mental well-being.
Salazar expressed dismay at Rodriguez's behavior, stating that she seemed more concerned about her dogs being taken away than the condition of the children she was responsible for.
"Obviously, for me, any dog that took part in it needs to be put down," Salazar said. "As heartbreaking as that sounds, the life of a little baby is much more important."
Bexar County Animal Control is currently evaluating the dogs to determine their role in the attack. The investigation is ongoing, and further charges may be filed.
