Sentenced: Grandmother of Girl Mauled to Death by Dog Charged With Murder

[Sugar Cookie]

The grandmother of a 7-year-old girl mauled to death by a dog has been charged with the child's murder.

Other relatives—including little Olivia Floyd's parents—are also facing charges connected to the youngster's death in Waynesboro, Virginia.

Grandmother Penny Lee Bashlor, 64, and her husband Stephen Christopher Kachmar, 60, who was the girl's step-grandfather, were both told they faced a string of charges, including murder, on Friday, May 13, according to local police.

The child was allegedly attacked by the couple's 4-year-old Rottweiler on January 29 in the 200 block of Parker Heights Road. She was rushed to Augusta Health but medics were unable to save her and she died from her injuries.

The Rottweiler was seized by officers from Waynesboro Police Department and was later euthanized. An unnamed woman was also injured in the attack, according to local news station WHSV. She was reportedly treated for her injuries at the hospital.

The pair were also charged with involuntary manslaughter, child abuse/injury, child cruelty/injury, and owning a vicious dog.

MSN

 

[Hermy]

<<<Other relatives—including little Olivia Floyd's parents—are also facing charges connected to the youngster's death in Waynesboro, Virginia.

Some time ago, DD featured a story where a mother was facing charges because she left her little boy (age 4 IIRC) with her own mother, who was in a wheelchair. The little boy started a fire with some incense. He perished but his grandmother survived. It was felt that it was his mom's duty to leave her son with someone who was fit enough to care for him.

Much the same applies here, in fact more so. The first incident was tragic but largely unforeseeable. This one was not. The parent(s) couldn't not know the dog was there.

I wonder who the "other relatives" are?

 

[DeeDee]

I don't get it. Why murder? The article doesnt really explain that part. Was the dog known to be aggressive in general? Had it shown aggression to or bit the child before and they left her alone with it anyway? Did they sic the dog on her?

 

[agm8478]

The child's death is so tragic, but at the same time it grieves me that the dog (who is taught and encouraged to behave like that) had to be put down. Even "aggressive" breeds have to be taught to be aggressive and attack.
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I don't get it. Why murder? The article doesnt really explain that part. Was the dog known to be aggressive in general? Had it shown aggression to or bit the child before and they left her alone with it anyway? Did they sic the dog on her?

Judging from the collar the dog was wearing, they were aware.

 

[Alf]

Judging from the collar the dog was wearing, they were aware.

That's a stock image of a Rottweiler; a dog, not the dog.

--Al

 

[knockout]

That's a stock image of a Rottweiler; a dog, not the dog.

--Al

Agree not the dog in question
Doesn’t look like a choke or prong collar anyhow

 

[agm8478]

That's a stock image of a Rottweiler; a dog, not the dog.

--Al

my apologies - I just looked at the picture and assumed it was the dog in question. The Rottweilers I've encountered myself were great dogs and just wanted to sit in your lap.

 

[Brillig]

The girl's parents were also charged in connection with the case. Brooks Floyd, 39, and Alicia Floyd, 37, both of Augusta County, were charged with child cruelty/injury.

(from story in original article above, can't post link at the moment)

I'm guessing the dog was known to be dangerous, or I doubt the charge would be murder, more like negligence.

Grandma, grandpa and dad are still in jail with no bond after all these months, and mom just got bond recently. That sounds like way more than an unforeseeable accident with a previously sweet dog.

 

[Sugar Cookie]

Olivia Grace Floyd

 

[Sugar Cookie]

Both Bashlor and Kachmar were sentenced to individual prison terms of five years, Ledbetter said. But he said both would receive credit for time already served. Both must serve three years of supervised probation and cannot own a canine.

Virginia grandparents plead guilty in dog attack that killed 7-year-old

The grandparents of a 7-year-old girl who died in an attack by a Rottweiler at their Waynesboro residence last year, have pleaded guilty to charges in the case and will

richmond.com

The charges against the girl's parents were dropped.