‘Horrible and tragic’: 2-year-old boy mauled to death by dogs at unlicensed Georgia daycare
By Graham Cawthon
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VALDOSTA, Georgia (WJCL) — Police in Georgia say a 2-year-old boy was mauled to death by Rottweilers after being left unattended at an unlicensed daycare.
The incident occurred on October 4 at a home on Pecan Drive in Valdosta. First responders arrived at the home around 3:45 p.m. to find the child dead, according to police.
Investigators determined that Stacy Wheeler Cobb, 48, was operating an unlicensed daycare at the home. Earlier that day, the child’s mother dropped him off for care. Cobb admitted to leaving the boy unsupervised for more than two hours while she took a nap, assuming the child was also asleep.
During that time, police say, the toddler wandered outside into the backyard, where he opened a kennel containing two large Rottweilers. The dogs escaped and attacked the child, police said.
Cobb was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and second-degree cruelty to children, both felonies. She was booked into the Lowndes County Jail. Police said the victim was the only child at the home at the time, but Cobb typically cared for about 10 children on most days.
Lowndes County Animal Control took custody of the two Rottweilers involved in the attack, as well as a third dog found at the home.
“This is a horrible and tragic event that should have never occurred, but because of negligence on this offender’s behalf, a mother has tragically lost a child,” said Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan. “I want to express our department’s deepest sympathy to the family. No words will ever ease their pain, but our hearts go out to them during this unimaginably difficult time. I also keep our first responders in my prayers, as they continue processing their response to this tragic scene.”
The investigation is ongoing, and detectives are continuing to process evidence. Police said additional charges are expected.
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