Three pit bulls fatally mauled a one-year-old boy in Converse, Texas, while he was under the care of his babysitter, leading to a devastating tragedy.
The boy, Jiryiah Johnson, was attacked on Monday, Oct. 7, in a horrifying event that unfolded when babysitter Heather Rodriguez, 36, left the toddler in the care of her 13-year-old daughter. Rodriguez is now facing multiple felony charges related to the fatal mauling.
The pit bull broke through a bedroom door and attacked while the toddler and the teen were inside. Despite the 13-year-old’s efforts to shield Jiryiah from the attack, the dogs overwhelmed her, resulting in a violent struggle as she attempted to pull the baby away from the animals. Authorities described the incident as a brutal tug-of-war between the dog and the young girl, with two additional pit bulls joining in the attack.
The teenager made a valiant effort to save Jiryiah, moving him into a bathroom to seek refuge from the attacking dogs. However, the dogs broke through the bathroom door, continuing their assault. Eventually, the teen fled to another bedroom, using her body to barricade the door and protect the child while calling 911. Photos from the scene revealed extensive damage to the doors, showing how fiercely the dogs tried to reach the baby.
Despite her injuries, the teen survived, but Jiryiah’s injuries were too severe. First responders arrived and rushed the child to University Hospital in San Antonio, where he underwent emergency surgery. Tragically, Jiryiah succumbed to his injuries later that night, just before 9:30 p.m.
Heather Rodriguez, the owner of the dogs and the babysitter responsible for Jiryiah, is facing charges of injury to a child with serious bodily injury by omission, a first-degree felony. She is currently in Bexar County Jail. Investigators indicated that Rodriguez could face additional charges due to the injuries her daughter sustained during the attack.
In May 2024, Rodriguez’s pit bulls trapped a man in his car, and she received a citation for the incident. Despite this earlier warning, Rodriguez was allowed to keep the dogs. This history of negligence has intensified scrutiny around her actions leading up to the fatal mauling of Jiryiah.
Authorities were also concerned by Rodriguez’s reaction after the incident. She reportedly protested when animal control officers seized the three dogs involved in the attack. Her focus on the welfare of the dogs, rather than the victim, raised additional concerns for law enforcement.
Jiryiah’s death has left his family and the community heartbroken. His mother, Erica Castro, has spoken about the overwhelming grief she feels after losing her child in such a violent manner. The family, friends, and local community continue to mourn the loss of a life taken too soon.
