A tragic incident involving a newborn baby and dog happened in Rochester. The parents of the victim were smoking marijuana downstairs, authorities report.
Two individuals, aged 19, entered a plea of not guilty to charges of manslaughter on Thursday. They are accused of leaving their 3-month-old baby unattended while engaging in the consumption of marijuana.
A heartbreaking incident occurred on Aug. 3rd, as the couple placed young Sulamain Hawkins Jr. to rest on the attic floor before stepping outside to relax, according to Rochester police.
According to reports, the couple was reportedly absent for around an hour, during which their pit bull-type dogs allegedly attacked the newborn.
They came back to discover the wounded infant. Junior was taken to the hospital and unfortunately succumbed to severe injuries, according to officials.
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“The allegations here, we feel, support the recklessness that a reasonable person in these defendants’ situations would not have acted the way they did,” Assistant DA Sara VanStrydonck said in court.
“They knew a risk and they consciously disregarded that risk.”
Hawkins and Weaver were apprehended on Wednesday.
According to prosecutors, the incident took place in a house rented by someone the victim knew, where the dogs were reportedly kept in the attic. It is also the place where the young family had been staying.
The tenants have been removed from the property and the dogs have been euthanized. The bail amount for Hawkins and Weaver was set at $15,000.
The next court date is scheduled for August 27th.
