MARTINEZ, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The great-grandmother of a baby killed by a dog was charged with second-degree murder in the death of the girl she was taking care of earlier this week.
Meanwhile, we’re learning the incident wasn’t the first to bring animal control officers to the address.
Migdelia Guadalupe, 56, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and second-degree murder in connection with Tuesday’s dog attack, according to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
Guadalupe — also injured in the attack but much less severely than the girl — was arrested after being released from the hospital, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office said Friday.
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“There are additional details that led to these charges that will not be released at this time,” the sheriff’s agency said in a statement.
There is no bond.
The attack by a dog in the household happened Tuesday afternoon at 3701 Columbia Drive, where the girl — identified by deputies as Serenity Garnett, of Grovetown — was being watched by Guadalupe.
An incident report says deputies responded around 12:15 pm Tuesday to the home and found the great-grandmother and the girl being treated by fire crews for injuries.
The great-grandmother had lacerations and puncture wounds on her arms.
The child, also with multiple lacerations and puncture wounds, was not breathing when deputies arrived. Fire crews were performing CPR on her.
To authorities’ knowledge, the great-grandmother was renting the property, and she was the only renter living there. The dog belongs to Donna Marie Mills, 58, who splits ownership of the residence with her brother, Danny Mills, 55, deputies wrote.
Danny Mills told animal control officers the siblings gained ownership of the home after their parents died. Donna Mills is incarcerated, and Danny Mills doesn’t live at home, according to authorities.
The dog, an American bulldog-Great Pyrenees mix named Blade, is in a 10-day quarantine.
Previous problems
This week’s attack wasn’t the first time for animal control officers to visit the home.
According to Columbia County records, officers were called there on Nov. 5, 2017. In that instance, Blade was the victim, according to a report by animal control officers. Officers wrote that an American bulldog mix jumped into the backyard and fought with Blade before jumping back out of the yard. Both dogs suffered wounds, according to officers.
On April 1, 2017, animal control officers were contacted by first responders because a dog at the home was guarding its owner and keeping her from receiving medical care. The animal control report doesn’t specify whether Blade was the dog involved.
On Nov. 27, 2007, officers were asked to check on the welfare of a Chow dog at the home. After talking with the dog’s owner, identified as Earl Mills, they found the dog in good health with shelter and water but with some matted fur.
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George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism