2-Year-Old Boy Killed by Daycare Owner's Rottweilers After She Left Him Alone to Take a Nap By Latoya Gayle

A 2-year-old boy died after being mauled by two “large” dogs while at an unlicensed daycare in Georgia.

At around 3:45 p.m. local time on Saturday, Oct. 4, Valdosta Police Officers, Valdosta Firefighters, and the South Georgia Medical Center Emergency Medical Services responded to reports of a dog attack at a residence in the 3800 block of Pecan Drive in Valdosta, the Valdosta Police Department said in a news release shared on Facebook. 

First responders arrived to find that a child — identified as Kaimir Jones, per local news outlet WALB — was already dead. 

Valdosta Police Department Detectives and Crime Scene personnel soon determined that Stacy Wheeler Cobb, 48, was running an unlicensed daycare at her home, per the police news release. Their investigation revealed that Jones’ mom had left him in Cobb’s care for the day.

Police believe that Cobb left Jones unattended for at least two hours, allegedly telling officers she took a nap and “thought the child was well,” per the police news release. 

Authorities believe that it was during this time that Jones was able to get into the backyard and open the kennel containing the “two large Rottweiler dogs” that fatally attacked him.

“This is a horrible and tragic event that should have never occurred, but because of negligence on this offender’s behalf, a mother has tragically lost a child,” said Chief Leslie Manahan, per the Valdosta Police Department’s news release. “I want to express our department’s deepest sympathy to the family.  

“No words will ever ease their pain, but our hearts go out to them during this unimaginably difficult time,” Manahan continued. “I also keep our first responders in my prayers, as they continue processing their response to this tragic scene.” 

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Jones was the only child at Cobb’s house at the time of the incident, but according to police, “on most days,” there are often around 10 children at the residence.

Amid their ongoing investigation, Cobb was arrested and taken to Lowndes County Jail. She has been charged with murder in the 2nd degree and cruelty to children in the 2nd degree. 

According to the police news release, more charges are expected as detectives continue to process evidence. Lowndes County Animal Control Officers took custody of the two Rottweilers, as well as a third dog that was at Cobb’s home.

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Over $14,000 has been raised towards Jones’ memorial since his mother set up a GoFundMe. 

She wrote in the fundraiser’s description that her “intuition” made her leave work early on Saturday, but by the time she got to Cobb’s home, several police officers were already at the location.

“This was a heartbreaking, devastating and traumatizing scene that I wouldn’t wish on anyone,” the grieving mother said.

“I did not have any life insurance for my 2-year-old son, so I am asking the community for help with raising funds for his memorial funeral,” she concluded. “Anything will help and anything is appreciated. Thank you.”

The Valdosta Police Department, Valdosta Firefighters, South Georgia Medical Center Emergency Medical Services and Lowndes County Animal Services did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Monday, Oct. 6.