A heartbreaking story out of Queens, New York, took a shocking turn this week as the New York City Medical Examiner ruled that the death of a 1-month-old baby girl—originally blamed on the family’s pit bull mix puppy—was not caused by a dog attack after all.
On Tuesday morning, the parents of baby Kiyanna Winfield awoke to a nightmare. Their six-month-old German shepherd-pit bull mix was found mauling their infant daughter, who had been sleeping between them in bed. The initial horror only deepened when first responders arrived and pronounced the infant dead at the scene. Police were quick to suspect the dog was responsible after finding “a substantial portion” of the baby’s face had been chewed off.
But now, a twist in the case has left both investigators and the community searching for answers.
According to a Wednesday statement from the Office of the Medical Examiner, the infant’s injuries were inflicted after death. “We can confirm this is not a death from a dog mauling,” the office said. “The injuries inflicted by the dog were postmortem.” The actual cause of death remains unknown and is pending further study, including a full pediatric workup.
In other words: the baby was already gone before the dog got to her.
The 45-pound puppy has since been removed from the apartment by Animal Control. Neighbors, already rattled by the initial reports, now find themselves even more confused—and more concerned. What started as a tragic tale of pet aggression has quickly turned into a deeply disturbing mystery.
“To be honest, as a mom of three, I was sad,” neighbor Maria Gutierrez told CBS News. “As a parent, you don’t expect your pet to attack your child.” Another neighbor, Shanel Nroville, noted she had warned the baby’s mother about the dog just days before the incident. “I told her, ‘That dog needs to be on a leash.’ She said, ‘No, this dog don’t bite.’ I said, ‘All dogs bite.’”
While it’s clear the puppy didn’t cause the baby’s death, the conversation around safe parenting and pet supervision has resurfaced. Placing a newborn in bed between two adults with a large, energetic dog roaming freely? That’s not just risky—it’s reckless.
And yet, no charges have been filed. The police are still investigating, and many are left wondering what else might come to light.
We can—and should—wait for facts before rushing to judgment. But what’s undeniable is that a 1-month-old child is gone, and the circumstances raise more questions than answers. It’s a reminder that even in tragedy, details matter—and assumptions can quickly unravel.
While the media cycle may shift to the next headline, the reality is that this infant’s death will demand accountability, whether through medical findings or legal action. Until then, we’re left with a painful story, a grieving community, and a justice system still searching for the truth.