Grandmother pleads guilty to death of toddler
A Hartwell grandmother has pleaded guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter in the 2017 death of her 20-month-old grandson.
The child, identified as Paris Adams, was attacked and mauled by two pit bulls owned by the grandmother at a house on Highland Avenue in Hartwell.
According to attorney Mays Davison, who represented Sandra Adams, the 70-year-old grandmother pleaded first offender status, and received 10 years of probation and must pay $2,500 in fines.
According to police reports, Adams was babysitting the child when the attack occurred.
The two were outside when the two dogs got loose from inside the house and attacked the child. Adams attempted to shield the baby from the dogs and pull them away from him.
After finally containing the dogs, Adams said she brought the boy to a nearby location to meet his mother, Amy Adams, and the two transported him to an urgent care facility where he was pronounced dead a few minutes later due to the severity of his injuries.
Authorities launched an investigation into the case, eventually arresting and charging the grandmother with second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and second-degree cruelty to children.
She was granted a $50,000 bond and later released from the jail. She then waived an initial court appearance.
According to reports, Hartwell police officers, animal control workers, and a veterinarian responded to the house and secured both dogs.
The dogs were quarantined at Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter and were later euthanized.
Police said Paris Adams’ mother was not a resident of the Highland Avenue home when the attack occurred.
The attack on Sandra Adams’ grandson was not the first incident involving the same two dogs.
Sandra Adams had been cited multiple times in the past over ordinance violations.
At least six reports were written from 2013 to 2015 addressing Sandra Adams for incidents related to dogs.
At least two of the reports accused the dogs of charging people in the neighborhood.