SAN ANTONIO (KSAT) – A Texas woman tasked with babysitting a 1-year-old boy has been arrested after authorities say multiple dogs attacked the child, who is now hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
Heather Rodriguez, 36, was arrested Monday, according to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. She was supposed to be babysitting the 1-year-old boy when the attack happened earlier that day.
Investigators say Rodriguez had left the boy with her 13-year-old daughter and wasn’t at home during the attack. The two children were sequestered in a room when the dogs forced their way inside through a door they previously damaged, according to authorities.
Sheriff Javier Salazar says there was a “tug of war” between the teenager and the dogs for the 1-year-old until she was finally able to flee to a bathroom with the boy.
Soon after, the dogs forced themselves inside the bathroom. Investigators say the teen had to leave the boy with the dogs to 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 rushed to the hospital with severe head and throat injuries. He remains in critical condition.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Salazar said. “God willing this baby survives.”
Rodriguez is facing a charge of injury to a child with serious bodily injury by omission, which is a first-degree felony. She may face more charges because her daughter was also hurt in the attack.
Authorities say it’s unknown how long she was away from the home and where she went. They add 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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