Hartwell Woman Held In Fatal Pit Bull Attack On 20-Month-Old Grandchild: ICYMI

ATHENS, GA -- The grandmother of a 20-month-old baby who was mauled to death by a dog has been charged with second-degree murder, authorities confirmed. Sandra Adams of Hartwell was arrested by law enforcement officers this week in the Aug. 1 incident.

After Adams rushed to the Reddy Urgent Care at 605 East Franklin Street, personnel there saw the situation and called EMS and law enforcement officers. (SIGN UP: For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. Or if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

A preliminary investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation indicates that Adams was babysitting the child outside her home in the 60th block of Highland Avenue when two pit bulls came through the back door, "knocking Adams to the ground and attacking the child," the agency said.

"Adams attempted to both shield the child from further attack and to pull the dogs away from the child," the GBI said. Eventually Adams was able to get the dogs back inside the home and tend to the child.

The child had suffered extensive injuries and was pronounced dead at 3:36 p.m., authorities said. The death sparked an investigation encompassing multiple agencies, including the Hartwell Police Department, the Athens Investigative office of the GBI, the Coroner’s Office, and the office of the District Attorney.

Reports have emerged that show that Adams had been cited on multiple occasions by the Hartwell authorities about maintaining "disorderly animals," the GBI said.

Adams is charged with second-degree murder, cruelty to children in the second degree, and involuntary manslaughter, authorities said.

While the investigation remains open, both dogs are currently being kenneled in separate locations and are under observation.

Correction: This story has been updated to state that Adams is charged with second-degree murder.

Image via Hart County Sheriff's Office