Coroner rules baby killed by dog 'an accident'

The Montgomery County Coroner's Office has ruled the death of an infant attacked and killed by a dog on Sunday was an accident.

Johnathan Quarles Jr. died from multiple blunt force injuries, according to the coroner's preliminary findings from the autopsy.

The final coroner's report on the 7-month-old boy, who lived in Indianapolis, won't be completed for up to eight weeks.

The infant was under the care of his stepgrandmother when the dog attacked him inside a home in the 2200 block of Riverside Drive around 12:24 p.m.

Police are investigating what they initially characterized as a pit bull attack. It remains unclear why the dog attacked the infant.

Records at the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center show an American Staffordshire Terrier, which resembles a pit bull, is registered at the address.

In June, the Dayton Daily News investigated how vicious dog complaints are handled in Montgomery County. Read the full report here »

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