1-year-old hospitalized in critical condition after dog attack; Babysitter arrested

SAN ANTONIO (KSAT) — A Texas woman tasked with babysitting a 1-year-old boy was arrested after authorities said several dogs attacked the child, who is now hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.

According to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, Heather Rodriguez, 36, was arrested Monday. She was supposed to be babysitting the one-year-old boy when the attack occurred earlier that day.

Investigators say Rodriguez left the boy with her 13-year-old daughter and was not home during the attack. According to authorities, the two children were held in a room when the dogs entered through a previously damaged door.

Sheriff Javier Salazar says there was a “tug of war” between the teen and the dogs over the 1-year-old until she was finally able to escape to the bathroom with the boy.

Shortly afterwards the dogs crowded into the bathroom. According to investigators, the teenager had to leave the boy with the dogs so she could get her cell phone and call for help. She then managed to barricade the two of them in another room until help arrived.

Salazar called the teen a “hero” for her actions in response to the attack, which lasted about two minutes.

The 1-year-old was taken to the hospital with serious head and neck injuries. He remains in critical condition.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Salazar said. “God willing, this baby will survive.”

Rodriguez is charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission, which is a first-degree felony. She may face additional charges because her daughter was also injured in the attack.

Authorities say it is unknown how long she was away from home or where she went. They add that she is not cooperating with their investigation.

Animal control has taken custody of the dogs.

Child Protective Services is also investigating the case.

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