An Oklahoma couple is facing murder charges after their family dog mauled and killed their toddler.
Jordan McGuire, 34, and Darci Lambert, 24, were arrested over the tragic death of their two-year-old Locklynn McGuire.
Police were called to their Oklahoma City home over concerns that that the girl had been ‘eaten by something’ just after 11.30pm on November 18 according to KOCO.
Officers arrived to find Locklynn dead at the residence in the jaws of one of the family’s four dogs, identified as a pit bull named Ella.
Oklahoma City Police Staff Sergeant Dillon Quirk told People that the little girl had been shut in a room with the canine. It was allegedly the second time she had been attacked by the same animal.
‘The child was left in that room with the animal for a substantial period of time before she was discovered deceased,’ he said.
‘And ultimately a murder arrest came from that investigation.’
The couple were arrested on complaints of second-degree murder on Friday.
Jordan McGuire (left) and Darci Lambert (right) were arrested on complaints of second degree murder following the death of their daughter Locklynn
Their 2-year-old daughter Locklynn McGuire was mauled to death by one of four family dogs
The dog was described as a black pit bull by the name of Ella. Lambert shared many photos of their dogs on social media
Oklahoma City Animal Welfare took custody of all four dogs as well as one pet rat and two lizards.
Court documents obtained by KOCO reported that Locklynn had been attacked only two weeks prior by ‘the same black pit bull’ who was referred to as Ella.
She was taken to OU Children’s Hospital with a ‘partially severed left ear.’
The affidavit for arrest claimed that the parents would often shut the dog in the same room with their daughter because it attacked their other animals.
Oklahoma Department of Human Services was called to investigate the first attack but they did not remove Locklynn from the residence.
Police investigations suggested that the parents continued to leave her in rooms with the aggressive animal even after the first attack.
Family members started a GoFundMe to raise money for Locklynn’s memorial service.
Locklynn had been attacked by Ella previously. The Oklahoma City family had taken her to the hospital for evaluation
Lambert and McGuire were arrested on complaints of second-degree murder
Locklynn had reportedly been shut in a room with the aggressive animal multiple times
In a tribute to the girl loved ones called the incident a ‘devastating dog attack’. They said that Locklynn was ‘curious, gentle, and full of joy.’
The little girl was just weeks away from her third birthday.
According to the ASPCA, guttural barks, growling, and snarling are telltale signs that a dog might become aggressive.
Dogs may also become still and rigid or begin nipping and biting. This could be because they are feeling territorial, protective, or frustrated.
Experts recommend speaking to a vet or considering rehoming aggressive animals.
The Daily Mail reached out to Locklynn’s family and Oklahoma City Police for comment.