Family dog attacks and kills 4-month-old girl in Ohio, police say

An infant in Ohio is dead after she was attacked by the family dog on Thursday, police say.

Just before midnight, officers responded to a Dayton home to find 4-month-old McKenzie Terwell not breathing, WKEF reported.

Initially, police said one of McKenzie’s parents called 911 when they arrived home and found her on the floor, according to WDTN. The parent told police that a family member was supposed to be watching her, the outlet reported.

Police soon discovered McKenzie had been attacked and killed by the family dog, according to WKEF.

Now, police say McKenzie’s mother, Mary Shoup, had been asleep on the couch when McKenzie’s dad found the infant on the floor, WHIO reported. Police say McKenzie’s mother may have taken prescription medication beforehand.

“Mr. Terwell said he just arrived home and his girlfriend and mother of the child, Mary Shoup, was asleep on the living room sofa,” an affidavit says, according to the outlet. “Mr. Terwell informed officers that Ms. Shoup is on prescription medication.”

The Montgomery County coroner’s report indicates that McKenzie died from blood loss after “extensive soft tissue trauma.” Her death was ruled an accident, the report says.

Police say the dog is a pit bull type and has been quarantined, WDTN reported.

The case is under investigation by the Special Victims Unit, WHIO reported. Police have not said whether charges are pending, according to the outlet.

This story was originally published January 14, 2020 at 9:28 AM with the headline "Family dog attacks and kills 4-month-old girl in Ohio, police say."