Mother speaks out after 7 month old baby is mauled to death by family pit bull
An Ohio family endures terrible grief after their pit bull fatally attacked their infant. The deceased baby girl has been identified as Elizah Renee Lynn Turner. She died on April 9, according to her obituary.
Elizah's parents, Kameron Turner and Mackenzie Copley, owned three pit bulls. Pictures on Mackenzie's social media showed what appeared to be a loving connection between the pets and her seven-month-old, making the family question why the attack happened.
In a heartbreaking Facebook post following Elizah's death, Mackenzie wrote, as reported by New York Post: "I will never understand why!! [...] I am so lost and broken. This was the same dog who was side by side with my baby every single day."
The grieving father, Kameron, also expressed his pain on social media, calling life "so unfair" and questioning: "How can I continue living without her."
After this tragic event, Franklin Animal Control took the family's three dogs away while police investigate the incident. Reports indicate law enforcement is not filing charges against the parents and have classified the incident as 'accidental'.
The baby's obituary described her as "never without a smile." It states: "Lizah was spunky, happy, loved watching miss Rachel and she was never without a smile. She brought light to everyone's life, healed her family's hearts and gave them all purpose.
"Her favorite times were spent laughing with mom and dad. Her grandfather gave her the nickname 'Kickin Wing'. Every time someone new entered the room her legs would kick with excitement to see them. Elizah's face would light up the room and her laugh was contagious."
A friend of Mackenzie has created a GoFundMe page to support the family through this difficult period and cover Elizah's funeral expenses. The funeral is scheduled for Monday (April 14).
"No parent should ever have to endure this kind of pain," states the fundraiser description. "In a matter of moments, their beautiful journey as new parents was turned into one of unimaginable grief and heartbreak. As they try to comprehend a future without their baby girl, the weight of emotional, financial, and practical burdens is overwhelming."
It continues: "Mackenzie and Kameron had just moved into their new home, full of hope and dreams for their family."
Now, they confront the reality of needing time away from work to mourn, process, and somehow start healing from this deep loss."
The fundraiser aims to collect $15,000. Currently, slightly more than $3,500 has been donated.
