Charges Considered Against Babysitter That Owned Pit Bull That Fatally Mauled 7-Month-Old

Authorities are investigation whether there was any criminal wrongdoing on the part of a baby sitter whose family pit bull mauled a toddler in her care, inflicting fatal personal injuries on him.

The victim was identified by officials at 17-month-old Colton Smith.

According to authorities, a woman was babysitting the child at a home in Delhi, California on October 23 when her family’s 65-pound pit bull bit him on the throat and dragged him around the yard. The woman says she stabbed the dog with a fork to stop the attack.

Smith received air transport to a hospital in Madera, California, where he later died.

According to Merced County Sheriff’s Deputy Tom MacKenzie, the child’s autopsy is scheduled for November 3. He said that after preliminary results are in, authorities will determine whether or not to recommend criminal charges.

The pit bull is currently in the custody of animal control officials.