One pertinent thing to remember when you’re bringing a baby into the home is that you have to carefully monitor them around all pets. That’s because there are instances when things might go awry and a dog may get jealous or act out toward the child in a manner that’s both dangerous and scary. An Indiana mother has been charged for her involvement in her baby’s death after her 3-month-old was mauled to death by a pit bull who lived in the home while she was asleep in her parents’ bed. Her daughter was taking a nap while she was in the kitchen preparing food when the violent incident occurred.
The 25-year-old mother was charged in connection with her 3-month-old’s death.
Paitlyn Grove has been charged with reckless homicide in connection with the death of her 3-month-old daughter, Zaelynn, who died a little over a year ago, according to People. Zaelynn died on April 3, 2025, after one of the two pit bulls who lived in the home mauled her while she was sleeping in a bedroom.
According to WBIW.com, the incident took place at the family’s home in Brownsville, Indiana. The mother told deputies from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office that when the incident happened, she was out in the kitchen cooking dinner and talking to her grandmother on the phone while Zaelynn was taking a nap, People reported.
At some point she heard her infant start to cry and one of the dogs start to bark, and when she walked into her bedroom after three to five minutes, she found her daughter in serious condition, per the magazine. The infant was taken to a nearby medical center in Seymour, but she died shortly after arriving, WBIW.com reported.
A man named Todd Banks and his wife, along with their two pit bulls, were living with the infant’s family at the time of the attack. He was taken into custody on May 10 following a grand jury indictment on one count of Level 5 felony reckless homicide, per People.
The pit bull that attacked the baby had shown prior behavior indicating it was a threat.
According to the probable cause affidavit, both Banks and the child’s mother were aware that one of the dogs posed a significant threat to the baby, WBIW.com reported. Grove told detectives that the dog had previously tried to pick up the infant by a blanket while the baby was in a car seat.
Banks also admitted to authorities that he had seen the same dog try to pick up the baby by her shirt on a separate occasion, WBIW.com reported.
A detective wrote in the affidavit that when they arrived at the home, they found “a large amount of blood on the bed” where the infant had been sleeping, and there was no gate blocking entry to the room, according to People.
Detectives also noted that during the emergency call that was placed on the day of the attack, Banks could be heard saying, “I knew she would do that,” referring to his dog.
It’s so incredibly heartbreaking that this vicious attack likely could have been prevented.
Little Zaelynn will be terribly missed by family and loved ones.
According to her obituary, Zaelynn Elizabeth Louise Grove was “a beacon of sweetness and joy” whose time on earth with her family was “all too fleeting.”
Her loved ones recall that even though Zaelynn was born prematurely, she “emerged into the world as a fighter,” per the obituary. She had a “radiant smile” and a “love of life.” They also remember that she “loved to be held close,” which they saw as a “a testament to the profound bond she shared with her family,” the obituary read.
Paitlyn Grove has three other children and could face up to six years in prison if convicted of reckless homicide, per People. The pit bull that attacked Zaelynn, named Simba, was euthanized.
Our hearts go out to Zaelynn’s siblings and other family members as they try to navigate this difficult time.
