Nationwide — JayCeon Gates, a 5-year-old African American boy from South Carolina, died after a dog attack while staying at a caregiver’s home in Ladson, authorities said. Officials confirmed two large dogs, a bull mastiff and a pit bull, were involved in the incident.
The attack happened just before 7:30 a.m. Saturday in Ladson, about 20 miles northwest of Charleston. Deputies said an adult inside the home was also injured during the attack.
First responders rushed JayCeon to a nearby hospital, but doctors pronounced him dead at 9:15 a.m. the same morning, as reported by the New York Post.
The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office said investigators seized both dogs under a search warrant. Officials are still working to determine which animal acted as the primary aggressor in the fatal attack.
Family members described JayCeon, who had autism, as a “vibrant and full-of-life” child. They said he is “loved deeply by his mom and big sister, and his passing has left a hole in the hearts of everyone who knew him.”
A GoFundMe page was set up to help the family cover funeral costs and immediate expenses. The fundraiser has raised more than $9,000 so far.
Relatives are also planning a balloon release on July 5 to honor him. The invitation asks attendees to bring Power Rangers, Paw Patrol, and car-themed balloons as a tribute.
The State Law Enforcement Division’s Special Victims Unit, the Department of Child Fatalities, and local sheriff’s investigators are jointly handling the ongoing South Carolina dog mauling investigation.