Clearwater Foster Baby Dies After Being Bitten By Family Pet

CLEARWATER, FL -- The 7-month-old baby who died after being bitten by the family dog is the foster child of a Clearwater Police detective, according to Clearwater Police.

The baby girl, Khloe Williams, had been in the care of licensed foster parent Detective Jonathan Maser since May 15, according to Eckerd Connects, the agency charged with placing foster children in Pinellas County.

On Friday, Oct. 5, at 2:12 p.m. she was being cared for by her foster grandparents when she was attacked by the large mixed-breed hound dog named Lynnie. It's unclear what led to the attack.

Clearwater Fire & Rescue medics were called to 1100 block of Fairwood Avenue and transported the baby to Mease Countryside Hospital where she died.

The dog is being held by Pinellas County Animal Services on a mandated 10-day rabies quarantine.

Both Clearwater Police and the Pinellas County Child Protection Investigation Division are investigating the baby's death.

Rebecca Kapusta, interim secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families, issued the following statement:

The Department of Children and Families is committed to ensuring the safety of all children, especially those in the care of foster parents. Any time a child dies in foster care, the department will conduct a thorough review to ensure the highest quality of care for children in the child welfare system.
Understanding of the high levels of trust and responsibility placed upon them, we are forever grateful to the thousands of wonderful families across Florida who support vulnerable children and make the choice to bring a child into their homes and their hearts.
DCF will support the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office as they investigate this child’s death and the department has also initiated a multidisciplinary review team to review this child’s history with the child welfare system.

“Everyone at Eckerd Connects is heartbroken over the death of 7-month-old Khloe Williams," said Dr. Chris Card, chief of community-based care for Eckerd Connects. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who loved this precious child."

Image via Pinellas County Animal Services

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