A devastating series of events unfolded in an Indiana home after a babysitter unexpectedly passed away, leaving a four-year-old girl alone with seven dogs. The child was later fatally attacked.
What began as a normal day turned into a heartbreaking nightmare for Gina Flores when she asked her aunt, 53-year-old Oliva Mora Regalado, to watch her daughter, Evelynn Lopez. Neither woman nor child would survive the day.
According to Huntingburg Police, Regalado suffered a sudden medical emergency—believed to be linked to a pre-existing condition—and died while caring for Evelynn. Alone in the home with six pit bulls and a poodle mix, Evelynn was soon attacked by the dogs in a brutal and unexplained mauling.
Police say Flores returned that afternoon to collect her daughter and was met with a horrific scene. She called 911 immediately, and emergency crews arrived around 3:40 p.m. Despite desperate efforts, Regalado was pronounced dead at the scene. Evelynn was transported in critical condition to Deaconess Memorial Hospital in Jasper, where she later died from her injuries.
Authorities said all seven dogs were euthanized at the scene both for safety reasons and to aid in the investigation. Their remains were sent to an agricultural lab for further examination. As of now, no criminal charges have been filed.
The double tragedy has left the Huntingburg community reeling. Though the family has not publicly spoken, support has poured in online.
“Sending love and prayers to Gina and Alberto’s family during this heartbreaking time,” wrote Brisa Villalobos, a family friend, in a post responding to the police department’s public statement.
“Anyone who truly knows Gina knows how amazing of a mother she was. Evelynn was her world, her little blessing,” she added. “They’re grieving the loss of a child and a loved one. They need compassion, not criticism.”
This incident follows another tragic dog attack just days earlier in Ohio, where seven-month-old Elizah Turner was killed by one of her family’s three pit bulls. Police in Columbus described that incident as a tragic accident and confirmed no charges are expected there either.
Both cases have renewed concerns over pet safety and supervision, leaving families and communities shaken and searching for answers in the wake of unimaginable loss.
