A toddler's uncle and grandmother were arrested Tuesday after dogs fatally mauled the boy while he was visiting family in Colton, Calif., the night before, police said.
Authorities received a report that a dog had killed someone in the 700 block of Citrus Avenue at about 5:30 p.m., according to a Colton Police Department statement. Officers arrived to find a 2-year-old with severe injuries to the upper body, the statement said.
The child, Samuel Zamudio (pictured, right) of Rialto, died at about 6 p.m. at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner. He was not at his own home at the time of the attack.
The boy's uncle, Marco Zamudio, 23, and grandmother, Eustulia Zamudio, 42, were booked Tuesday morning on suspicion of child endangerment leading to death, police said.
Animal Control officers took custody of five pit bull mixes at the scene of the attack. It was not clear how many of the dogs were involved.
A family friend and neighbor told NBC4 Samuel turned 2 years old in April. She joined family members in a search for the boy after he went missing at about 5 p.m. Monday.
About 30 minutes later, Erica Vega said she heard screams coming from the family's backyard. The grandmother had found Samuel's body with bite wounds to his head and neck.
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Anyone with information can contact Colton Police Detective McFarland at 909-370-5000.
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