Central Ohio mother gets max sentence after infant dies in dog attack

MARION, Ohio (WCMH) -- The mother of a 6-month-old baby mauled to death by a dog received the maximum sentence Friday.

Alyssa Smith was sentenced to three years in prison by the Marion County Court of Common Pleas for child endangering. In April 2024, Smith's child was fatally mauled by her boyfriend's Pitbull.

According to the Marion County Prosecutor's Office, Smith allegedly left the infant alone and unsupervised with another young child and the dog. Prosecutors said this allowed the aggressive dog to fatally attack the infant.

"This sentence holds a mother accountable for failing her infant in the most tragic way," Marion County Prosecutor Raymond Grogan said in a statement. "Smith's actions in ignoring the dog's history showed a pattern of irresponsibility that cost baby Royal his life."

Smith's boyfriend, Blake Bates, recently pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for his involvement in the incident and is currently awaiting sentencing.