The Ohio father of a baby who was fatally mauled by his vicious pit bull mix inside their home has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
On October 2, Blake Bates confessed to charges related to an incident that happened over a year ago when his six-month-old son, Royal Bates, was tragically mauled by his dog Kilo, known for its vicious nature, according to Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan.
Bates and his girlfriend, Alyssa Smith, left Royal alone with the pit bull and another child on April 28, 2024.
While the adults were nowhere to be found, the animal lunged at Royal and tore into his skull.
Gut-wrenching body camera footage shows the moment officers arrived at the gory scene at the Marion home.
Smith and Bates appeared frantic and panicked as first responders did everything they could to save the baby.
Bates was heard sobbing as Royal was rushed away in an ambulance. The infant was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Kilo was promptly put down to avoid any further instances of violence.
Royal Bates (pictured) was fatally attacked by his father’s dog Kilo last April
Blake Bates (seen left) accepted the charges on October 2, over a year following the death of his son by Kilo, a dog he owned. Simultaneously, Royal’s mother, Alyssa Smith (pictured right), admitted to child endangerment.
Pit bull mix Kilo (pictured) had a history of aggression, according to the case’s prosecutor
Grogan noted in a statement, ‘The investigation revealed that Bates didn’t heed alerts regarding the dog’s aggressive tendencies after it had once attacked a local child.’
Subsequently, the aggressive pit bull was left in proximity to the unsupervised baby, resulting in a tragic death that shocked the community and underscored the perils associated with irresponsible pet management.
Grogan said that Bates failed to protect his baby and take sufficient precautions, despite knowing Kilo had lashed out at a child in the past.
‘This guilty plea holds Bates accountable for a preventable horror that stole an innocent baby’s life,’ Grogan said.
‘Bates knew his pit bull was dangerous, yet he gambled with this baby’s safety – recklessness that demands severe consequences.’
Smith previously pleaded guilty to child endangerment for her role in what Grogan described as a preventable death. She is awaiting sentencing.
Bates faces three years in prison for his involuntary manslaughter conviction, but he also faces sentencing for prior crimes.
These offenses include a fourth-degree felony strangulation of a woman he was involved with and a third-degree felony escape attempt, Grogan said.
Gut-wrenching body camera footage shows the moment officers arrived at the gory scene at the Marion home (pictured)
Smith and Bates have also have a daughter, although it is unclear if she was the child with Royal when he died (pictured: the Bates-Smith family)
Grogan emphasized, ‘Dog owners bear the responsibility for their pets, and for those with aggressive animals, it’s crucial to take heightened safety measures, particularly around children.’
According to Royal’s obituary, he was a smiley baby who adored his older sister. It is unclear if she is the child he was with when he was killed.
Over the summer, another Ohio family was faced with similar devastation when a pet pit bull killed a one-year-old in front of her mother.
Blakely Blosser, 1, was killed at her Dover, Ohio home on July 2 after being savaged by the dog.
The prosecutor said that Bates (pictured with Kilo) had an obligation to protect his son, which he failed to do
In a brief moment when her mother Nicole’s attention was diverted while gathering laundry, the dog growled, lunged at Blakely, and violently attacked, biting the child’s face and neck repeatedly.
Her mom sprang into action, sustaining bite marks and cuts as she unsuccessfully tried to pry the dog away from her suffering baby.
But the animal could not be stopped and Blakely died almost immediately after one of the deadly bites, authorities said.
