2-Year-Old Dies After Dog Attack At Unlicensed Georgia Daycare

A toddler left unattended for more than two hours at an unlicensed daycare wandered into a backyard, opened a kennel, and was killed by two Rottweilers.

Why It Matters: Parents across Valdosta are now learning that the woman they may have trusted with their children was operating without a license — and that on October 4, that lack of oversight ended in a child’s death.

What Happened: Valdosta Police, firefighters, and emergency medical workers arrived at a home on Pecan Drive just before 4 p.m. on October 4. The child was already dead.

The victim’s mother had dropped him off that morning at the home of 48-year-old Stacy Wheeler Cobb, who ran a daycare out of her residence without a license. Cobb told investigators she had been napping and assumed the child was asleep too. He wasn’t. For more than two hours, no one was watching him.

At some point during that window, the toddler made it outside and into the backyard. There, he opened the kennel holding two large Rottweilers. The dogs attacked him.

The Charges: Cobb was arrested and taken to Lowndes County Jail. She faces second-degree murder and second-degree cruelty to children, both felonies. Detectives say more charges are expected as they continue processing evidence.

The Scope: According to police, the victim was the only child at Cobb’s home that day. But on most days, she cared for around 10 children. None of them were part of a licensed operation.

Lowndes County Animal Control took custody of the two Rottweilers and a third dog found at the residence.

What Comes Next: The investigation remains open. Detectives have not released the child’s name or additional details about the timeline.

The Quote: “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. 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,” said Chief Leslie Manahan.

The Sources: Valdosta Police Department.