Cape woman faces manslaughter charge over fatal dog attack

A 33-year-old Cape Girardeau woman has been charged with second-degree involuntary manslaughter after her brother�s pit bull/Labrador/malamute fatally attacked a 13-month-old girl she was baby-sitting last month.

Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Chris Limbaugh announced the charge Friday against Erica N. Jordan of 46 N. Hanover St. The charge alleges �criminal negligence.�

Jordan was arrested and posted a $5,000 surety bond. As a condition of her release on bond, Judge Benjamin Lewis barred Jordan from caring for any children in her home other than her biological children, Limbaugh said in a news release.

�These charges come after a careful review of the evidence, an opportunity to speak with the victim�s family and follow-up investigations with witnesses,� the release stated.

The girl, Loxli Chavez, was taken to a hospital where she later died from �severe injuries,� according to a probable-cause statement.

The attack occurred March 9 at Jordan�s home.

In an interview with police, Jordan said the dog, named Smokey, weighed between 30 and 40 pounds. She said she was keeping the dog temporarily for her brother, according to the probable-cause statement from police Sgt. Darren Estes.

Jordan said she began baby-sitting Loxli and Loxli�s 5-year-old sister, Juniper, on March 5, Estes wrote. Jordan said Loxli�s parents knew about the dog, according to the statement.

Estes wrote �Jordan stated she frequently lets the dog loose, but sometimes placed the dog into her son�s room because the dog is �not good with kids.��

She recalled the dog had �attacked� her son, biting him in the head about a year ago.

Jordan said the dog had since been neutered and �she thought the dog had �calmed down,�� Estes wrote.

Jordan said Smokey was drinking water from a dog bowl within a few feet of Loxli just before the attack. She said she suddenly �heard screaming and crying� and saw �blood everywhere, �according to the probable-cause statement.

She said in the statement she tried to pull the dog away, but �he was so aggressive� and �just kept going for the baby.�

Jordan said she finally pulled Smokey off the girl and secured him in a closed bedroom. She then called 911.

Tia Bailey, the victim�s mother, told police it was never disclosed to her before the attack Smokey previously attacked Jordan�s child. Bailey said Jordan had reassured her the dog would not pose a risk to her children, according to the statement.

If convicted, Jordan faces a maximum sentence of four years in prison, the prosecutor said.

Police said after the attack the dog was impounded and would be euthanized.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

46 N. Hanover St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.