A seven-month-old baby died after an attack by one of the family’s pit bulls in Columbus, Ohio. Police have described the incident as a tragic accident.
Elizah Turner was attacked on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, and was initially taken to a local fire station before being transported to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Elizah’s parents, Mackenzie Copley and Kameron Turner, have shared their grief on social media, mourning the loss of their daughter.
“I will never understand why!!!” Copley wrote on Facebook, along with photos of her daughter with the family dogs.
Copley expressed shock as the dog that attacked her daughter had been a regular companion. She noted that this dog had been with her baby every day.
Kameron Turner also shared his anguish online, questioning how he could continue without his daughter and stating he would give his life to bring her back.
According to her obituary, Elizah was a joyful child known for her constant smile and contagious laughter.
The specifics of the incident remain unclear, but Columbus Police stated the situation quickly escalated after the baby was bitten. Authorities have not disclosed which of the three pit bulls was involved.
Columbus Police Sergeant James Fuqua commented on the emotional impact on first responders, telling WBNS, “There is really not a lot of words I can say to convey how I feel.”
Fuqua noted that responders were deeply affected, especially since many of them are parents themselves.
Police released body camera footage showing officers arriving at the scene. The family had moved into the home just a week before the incident.
No charges are expected at this time. However, the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing the case, and charges have not been ruled out entirely.
Franklin County Animal Control took custody of all three pit bulls. The agency is leading the investigation and will decide the dogs’ fate after the inquiry.
Local reports identified the pit bulls as Kilo, Kane, and Kash, but officials have not confirmed which was involved in the attack.
The community is supporting Elizah’s family, who also have a four-year-old son, with a GoFundMe page set up for funeral expenses.
In a similar incident in Baytown, Texas, a six-month-old was killed by a family pit bull, which was euthanized afterward.
