A tragic incident occurred in Wichita Falls, Texas, where a pit bull attacked and killed a 2-year-old girl after escaping from its cage. The child was being babysat by Deidre Wheeler and her husband, Lacharles Ramsey, who are now facing felony charges of child endangerment and injury to a child.
On December 29, 2024, at around 5 p.m., authorities received a 911 call reporting that a pit bull had attacked a young child. When paramedics arrived, they found the girl severely injured, bleeding, and unresponsive. She was rushed to the hospital, but doctors were unable to save her, and she was later pronounced dead.
The situation unfolded as Wheeler and Ramsey had agreed to watch two children, ages 2 and 8 months, in addition to their six own children. The couple initially left their home around noon and had their older children, aged 16 and 19, look after the younger kids. At some point during the afternoon, Wheeler returned home and, after picking up the older children, left her 11-year-old in charge of the household.
Within 45 minutes of their departure, the pit bull, which had previously been kept in a kennel, managed to escape. The dog initially attacked the 8-month-old, but the other children were able to intervene and rescue the infant. However, the pit bull then attacked the 2-year-old girl. By the time Wheeler and Ramsey returned home, the child was critically injured. In an attempt to save her, they began driving to the hospital but encountered emergency responders on the way.
The 11-year-old who had been left in charge of the children later told investigators that she had been preparing dinner when she called her mother for help, describing the situation as “out of control.” It was during this time that the dog managed to break free and attack.
Further investigation revealed that the dog had a history of aggression. It had bitten another child about a year earlier. Despite this, the couple had failed to properly secure the animal, and authorities allege that they neglected to provide adequate supervision for the children in their care. The couple’s failure to ensure the safety of the children, especially in the presence of a known aggressive pit bull, contributed to the fatal incident.
In the aftermath, the dog was euthanized, and the couple was arrested. Deidre Wheeler is being held on a $450,000 bond, while Lacharles Ramsey’s bond is set at $300,000. The charges they face include serious felony accusations, as they allegedly put the children’s lives at risk through their negligence.
This tragedy has shocked the local community, and the case highlights the importance of appropriate supervision and safety measures when caring for young children. It also raises questions about the responsibilities of pet owners, especially when dealing with potentially dangerous animals.
