Overview
- A 12-year-old boy ran into Central Park Lake in California City to escape three dogs on June 18 and drowned after being pulled from the water and taken to a children’s hospital.
- Emergency crews treated multiple children at the scene with one girl hospitalized for significant but non-life-threatening bite injuries and two others evaluated and released.
- Investigators linked the dogs to the attack, obtained an arrest warrant charging involuntary manslaughter and negligent ownership of a mischievous animal, and identified Kenneth Dobbins as the suspected owner.
- Police say Dobbins fled after officers first spoke with him, a civilian tip led to his arrest in Lancaster on Thursday, one dog was seized in Los Angeles County, and the criminal investigation is ongoing.
- The community has held a vigil and raised funds for the boy’s family, and officials say the case is likely to increase attention on leash and animal-control enforcement at public parks.