Heather Rodriquez was babysitting a 1-year-old when she allegedly left him and her teen daughter alone with three dogs that eventually killed him.
SAN ANTONIO — The Bexar County woman who allegedly left a baby boy at home with her dogs before the animals mauled and killed him accepted a plea deal for her charges, capping the number of years she could get later this year.
Heather Rodriquez, 37, was arrested in October 2024 after the deadly attack on 1-year-old Jiryiah Johnson, whom authorities said had been entrusted to her care before she allegedly left him and her teen daughter alone with her three dogs.
Though the children were in a separate room from Rodriquez’s three dogs, they managed to tear their way in and attack them, law enforcement said at the time. Officials say Rodriquez’s daughter tried to fight them off and barricade herself and Jiryiah in a different room, but the attack would prove fatal.
Jiryiah suffered injuries to his head and throat, and died at a local hospital that same night. The 13-year-old whom authorities called a “hero” for her efforts was also hurt.
The dogs were later euthanized by order of a Bexar County judge.
Rodriquez was indicted in December 2024 on charges of attack by dog resulting in death, reckless child injury and child abandonment/endangerment.
Court records show she accepted a plea deal on Friday. The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office confirmed the agreement, saying it stipulates a maximum prison sentence of 14 years once a judge decides her punishment on June 1.
She stood to potentially receive 20 years in prison for the dog attack resulting in death offense alone.