California boy, 8, viciously attacked by dog at unlicensed daycare, left with critical injuries
APPLE VALLEY, CALIFORNIA: An eight-year-old boy was reportedly left with life-threatening injuries after being mauled by a dog at an unlicensed daycare center.
Connor Aranda was attacked by a labrador retriever in Apple Valley, California, on Tuesday, September 27, and was rushed to Providence St Mary Medical Centre before being airlifted to Loma Linda University Medical Centre. The youngster sustained critical injuries to his face, chest, back and arm when the canine viciously attacked him. The schoolboy subsequently underwent emergency reconstructive surgery, which has reportedly left him in agonizing pain and unable to speak.
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Aranda's embattled mother, Michelle, said her son has to undergo several more procedures in the coming days. "There are stitches inside of his mouth, on the top, on the top lip," she told KTLA, describing his injuries, "His chest had a five-inch laceration that was about a quarter-inch deep. He's just so sad. He doesn't want to do anything or even get out of bed." Aranda was at the home of an unlicensed daycare provider when the dog attacked him. While there are no charges against the unnamed owner at the time of publication, Michelle said she's considering legal recourse. "I trusted her, trusted that he was safe there, that all my kids were safe there," the heartbroken mum added. That said, the brutal attack was also witnessed by Aranda's six-year-old sister.
California's Department of Social Services said the license application for the home daycare was still pending. Following the incident, the labrador was seized from the center by San Bernardino Animal Care and later euthanized. Laura Kemp, Aranda's grandmother, recalled the moment she was informed of the harrowing episode. "I received a call from my daughter that Connor was attacked by a dog while at daycare. I raced to pick her up from work," she said, adding, "My daughter was completely devastated, shaking in absolute fear of the worst." Kemp explained that the boy would need several more surgeries followed by physical therapy in order to recover. She said the incident was "completely unavoidable" and noted how "heartbreaking" it was to see her beloved grandson in excruciating pain.
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Friends and family have set up a GoFundMe in hopes of helping Aranda with medical expenses. "Connor's mother is a single mother that works full time. She has 2 younger children at home that also rely solely on her," the fundraising campaign states. "We would like to raise money so Connor's mom does not have to worry about lost wages and mounting bills. These children are very special to a lot of people, most importantly their mother. She needs to be there for them and we need to be there for this family." The campaign has raised more than $3,000 of its $10,000 goal at the time of publication.