Bexar County woman indicted by grand jury in dog attack that killed 1-year-old boy, records show

SAN ANTONIO – A Bexar County woman was indicted by a grand jury after she was accused of leaving a 1-year-old boy alone with her three dogs that killed him.

Heather Rodriquez, 36, was indicted Wednesday on charges of child abandonment/endangerment and recklessly causing bodily injury to a child.

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office said the child was in Rodriquez’s care on Oct. 7 when she left the home.

The child was left in a room with her 13-year-old daughter to keep the child away from the dogs, deputies said.

Officials said the dogs, who previously damaged the door, forced their way into the room.

Authorities said the teenager tried to protect the 1-year-old boy — later identified as Jiryiah Johnson — but it was a “tug of war” between her and the three dogs.

The dogs mauled Johnson. Officials said the teenager was also bitten in the process.

Once authorities arrived, they rendered aid to Johnson, but he was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

A Bexar County judge ordered Rodriquez’s three dogs to be euthanized.

Rodriquez’s trial date has not yet been set.

More coverage of this story on KSAT:

• Bexar County judge denies woman’s request to lower bond in deadly dog attack case
• ‘It hasn’t gotten any easier’: Father of 1-year-old boy killed in dog attack speaks
• Judge orders three dogs to be euthanized after attack that killed 1-year-old boy
• BCSO files two new charges against babysitter arrested for dog attack that killed 1-year-old
• Babysitter arrested after dogs attack baby, leaving child with life-threatening injuries