A two-year-old child was fatally attacked by two Rottweiler dogs at an unlicensed daycare residence in Valdosta on Saturday afternoon, leading to the arrest of the caretaker on felony murder and child cruelty charges.
Valdosta Police Officers, Firefighters, and Emergency Medical Services personnel rushed to a residence in the 3800 block of Pecan Drive at approximately 3:45 p.m. on October 4, 2025, following reports of a child attacked by dogs. Upon arrival, first responders tragically discovered the two-year-old was deceased.
The investigation by Valdosta Police Department Detectives and Crime Scene personnel determined that 48-year-old Stacy Wheeler Cobb was operating an unlicensed daycare at the home. The victim’s mother had left the child in Cobb’s care earlier that day.
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Detectives found that the child was left unattended for over two hours. Cobb stated to investigators that she was taking a nap during this time and assumed the child was also asleep.
Investigators believe that while unsupervised, the child managed to get into the backyard and opened the kennel housing two large Rottweiler dogs, allowing the animals to get out and attack the child.
Cobb was subsequently arrested and transported to the Lowndes County Jail. She has been formally charged with murder in the 2nd degree (felony) and cruelty to children in the 2nd degree (felony).
Authorities noted that while the victim was the only child present at the time of the incident, Cobb typically cares for around ten children at the residence on most days.
Lowndes County Animal Control Officers took custody of the two Rottweilers involved in the attack, as well as a third dog located at the home.
“This is a horrible and tragic event that should have never occurred, but because of negligence on this offender’s behalf, a mother has tragically lost a child,” Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan said. “I want to express our department’s deepest sympathy to the family. No words will ever ease their pain, but our hearts go out to them during this unimaginably difficult time. I also keep our first responders in my prayers, as they continue processing their response to this tragic scene.”
The investigation remains ongoing, and detectives are continuing to process evidence. Authorities indicated that more charges against Cobb are expected to be forthcoming.
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