Miami

Father of Boy Mauled to Death By Dogs Arrested

The father of a 4-year-old Miami boy who was found mauled to death in a dog attack has been arrested, authorities said.

Javon Dade Sr., 30, was arrested early Friday on a charge of child neglect causing great bodily harm, Miami-Dade Jail records showed. His girlfriend, 26-year-old Alessandra Carrasco, was also arrested on the same charge.

Both were being held on $7,500 bond, and it was unknown if either has an attorney.

The body of Javon Dade Jr. was found in overgrown grass in the family's back yard after he was reported missing on Aug 13. He had been mauled to death by a dog or dogs in the yard, police said.

According to Miami-Dade Police arrest reports released Friday, Dade Jr. was found with "severe head trauma and neck trauma consistent with a dog mauling."

Carrasco and Dade Sr. had spent the night and early morning smoking marijuana cigarettes laced with cocaine, the reports said.

When Dade Sr. went to check on his son around 9:20 a.m., he wasn't in his bedroom, the report said. Police arrived and found the body in the yard.

Police said Animal Services workers took six dogs from the scene and one, a blue and white adult pit bull, was later euthanized.

"The decision to euthanize was based solely on the animal's temperament," the department said in a statement. "What, if any involvement this dog had in the tragedy involving Javon Dade, Jr., has not yet been determined. The Animal Services Department continues to assist Miami-Dade Police and the State Attorney's Office in their ongoing investigation."

The Department of Children and Families had warned of the dogs three years before the incident, officials said.

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