A 12-year-old boy in California drowned after jumping into a lake to escape a trio of vicious dogs, according to police.
The California City Police Department received a drowning call at a lake in Central Park on June 18, according to a news release.
A boy at the park leapt into the lake after three dogs began chasing him. Officers found the boy at the bottom of the lake. He was removed from the water and police administered CPR. At the same time, other officers tended to another minor at the scene who had suffered serious, non-life-threatening injuries from bites.
The boy has been identified as Fernando Torres Moreno, according to the LA Times.
After Kern County Fire Department units arrived, Moreno was taken to Tehachapi Hospital and then to Children’s Hospital, where he died.
The other minor was treated at Antelope Valley Hospital and was later released.
While the children were being treated, police investigated the area around the lake and located a man named Kenneth Dobbins living at the Lakeshore Condominiums. He reportedly told police that he had been in the park with his three dogs.
Because police did not know the extent of the children’s injuries at the time, they did not take Dobbins into custody.
His dogs were later identified as the animals that attacked the minors in the park. Police obtained an arrest warrant for Dobbins for involuntary manslaughter and negligent owner of a mischievous animal causing serious bodily injury and/or death.
When officers returned to Dobbins’ home to execute the arrest warrant, they found he had left the premises. One of the dogs involved in the attack was located in Los Angeles County and was seized by authorities.
Police are still searching for Dobbins and his remaining dogs. He is described as 68-years-old, unhoused, 6’6” tall and weighing approximately 250 pounds, with gray hair and brown eyes.
Investigators said he has two previous felony convictions in California City and Palmdale.
Law enforcement has asked that anyone who sees Dobbins call local police. Anyone with information about Dobbins has been asked to call Lieutenant Shannon Hayes at [email protected] or at 760-373-8606.
A GoFundMe has been established to help Moreno’s family. It said the boy was “ready for a great day at the park with his friends and family, but tragedy took him from us too soon.”
“Fernando was a bright, loving boy who brought joy to everyone around him,” the fundraiser says. “His laughter and kindness touched the lives of many, and his absence leaves a hole in the hearts of his family and community.”
