Daycare owner arrested after her dogs k!lled 2-year-old boy while she took a nap

Tragedy in Valdosta – Daycare Owner Arrested After Fatal Dog Attack on Toddler

In a deeply disturbing incident that has shaken the community of Valdosta, Georgia, a 2-year-old boy was mauled to death by two Rottweilers while under the care of a daycare provider who was allegedly asleep at the time.

The daycare owner, 48-year-old Stacy Wheeler Cobb, has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder and second-degree cruelty to children, both felonies.

Authorities responded to the scene on October 4 around 3:45 p.m. after receiving reports of a child attacked by dogs. Upon arrival, police found the toddler deceased. Investigators revealed that Cobb was operating an unlicensed daycare out of her home and had been napping for over two hours, believing the child was also asleep. During this time, the boy reportedly wandered into the backyard and managed to open a kennel containing two Rottweilers. The dogs escaped and fatally attacked him.

At the time of the incident, the child was the only one in Cobb’s care, although she regularly looked after approximately ten children. The boy’s mother had dropped him off earlier that day. Cobb is currently being held without bail at the Lowndes County Jail. It remains unclear whether she has legal representation.

Animal control officers have taken custody of the two Rottweilers involved in the attack, along with a third dog found at the residence. The Valdosta Police Department has indicated that additional charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues.

Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan described the event as “horrible and tragic,” emphasizing that it was preventable and resulted from negligence. “A mother has tragically lost a child,” she stated, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

This incident adds to a troubling trend of fatal dog attacks in the United States. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such deaths have been rising sharply, with 98 fatalities recorded in 2022 compared to fewer than 40 annually between 2010 and 2018.