Boy, 6, mauled by pit bull after mother allegedly handcuffs him as punishment, claims she ‘didn’t know it was illegal’
Ashland County, OH — A chilling and tragic incident has unfolded in Ashland County, Ohio, where a 6-year-old boy suffered severe injuries after being attacked by a pit bull, allegedly following a disturbing act of punishment by his mother and two accomplices.
The boy’s mother, Angelina Williams, is facing serious legal consequences after the harrowing details emerged in court.
On Wednesday, Williams appeared before Judge Frank E. Martin in an Ashland County courtroom, charged with endangering a child.
The courtroom was a scene of palpable tension as prosecutor Chris Tunnell presented the grim facts of the case, which have shocked the local community.
According to Tunnell, the nightmarish episode began on Saturday when Williams, along with two co-defendants—Taylor Desiree Marvin-Brown and Robert Michalski—allegedly handcuffed the young boy as a form of punishment.
A Mom, her boyfriend and uncle handcuffed a 6-year-old boy and allowed pit bull dog to maul him
— House of Fatima Foundation (@HouseofFatimang) August 28, 2024
A mother, her boyfriend, and an uncle are all facing child endangerment charges after handcuffing a six-year-old who was mauled by a pit bulldog.
The incident happened Saturday 17th pic.twitter.com/8f315sUMGB
The child was reportedly restrained with handcuffs on both wrists and feet, a practice that raised serious legal and ethical concerns.
“The child was handcuffed, and then a second set of cuffs was applied to his feet,” Tunnell explained.
“They were in the process of using a rope to secure him to a chair when he fell to the ground, making him vulnerable to the pit bull’s attack.”
The pit bull, which belonged to Marvin-Brown and Michalski, was reportedly not under proper supervision at the time of the incident.
After the boy fell, the aggressive dog attacked him, causing severe injuries including bites to his neck and ears.
The boy was airlifted to a nearby hospital where he received urgent medical treatment.
In court, Williams appeared visibly distressed as she faced the gravity of the charges against her.
She asserted that she was unaware that her actions were illegal or harmful.
“I didn’t even know the cuffs were illegal or anything was wrong with it,” Williams said. “My uncle told me it was OK.”
Williams attempted to distance herself from the incident by stating that neither the dog nor the handcuffs were hers, a claim that did little to mitigate the severity of the situation.
Her defense was undermined by the prosecutor’s revelation that she did not have legal custody of the children, who were visiting her at the time.
“I never meant any harm, I really didn’t,” Williams insisted, though her plea was met with skepticism given the circumstances.
The courtroom drama continued as the co-defendants, Marvin-Brown and Michalski, faced charges of child endangerment.
Marvin-Brown’s bond was set at $250,000, while Michalski’s bond was set at $150,000. Both remain in custody as they await their court dates.
The case has sparked widespread outrage and concern about the safety and welfare of children in similar situations.
The local community, already shaken by the incident, is grappling with the implications of such a distressing case.
The boy’s injuries and the allegations against his mother and the co-defendants underscore a dire need for vigilance and legal clarity in cases of child discipline and animal control.
As the legal proceedings continue, the Ashland County community remains hopeful for justice and resolution for the young victim, whose life has been irrevocably altered by this tragic event.
In a related and equally disturbing development, authorities are also investigating a separate incident in Oakland where a man was mauled to death by three dogs. The dogs’ owner has been arrested on felony charges, highlighting ongoing concerns about animal control and public safety.
