In a chilling turn of events that has shocked the community of Marion, Ohio, a father has changed his plea to guilty in connection with the tragic death of his six-month-old son, Royal, who was killed by the family’s pit bull mix, Kilo. Blake Bates, 27, faced multiple charges including involuntary manslaughter and reckless homicide after the dog attacked Royal on April 28, 2024, as the baby rolled off a couch while under the watch of his seven-year-old sister.
The harrowing incident unfolded when police were called to the home Bates shared with his girlfriend, Alyssa Smith. Medics arrived on the scene to find Royal suffering from severe injuries, ultimately leading to his death at the hospital. Eyewitness accounts describe a nightmarish scene where Kilo, previously warned by dog wardens for aggressive behavior, inflicted life-ending injuries on the infant.
Video footage released from a year prior captures the dog warden warning Bates and Smith about Kilo’s aggressive tendencies, citing a previous incident where the dog had attempted to bite a child. Despite these warnings, the couple failed to take adequate precautions, leading to the heartbreaking death of their child. Smith has since pleaded guilty to child endangerment and agreed to testify against Bates, revealing a pattern of negligence that preceded the tragedy.
Investigators have since uncovered that Bates may have exacerbated Kilo’s aggression by withholding food and ignoring advice from family members who cautioned against allowing the dog near children. The couple’s cavalier attitude when confronted by authorities was alarming; Bates acknowledged the dog’s prior aggression but dismissed it with a nonchalant demeanor. Family members and neighbors had expressed fears about Kilo’s behavior, yet the couple maintained an environment where the dog was allowed to roam free around their children.
Bates’ change of plea comes as no surprise to prosecutors, who noted the overwhelming evidence against him. Kilo was euthanized shortly after the attack, a decision that underscored the severity of the situation. Prosecutor Mark Weaver emphasized the responsibility of dog owners to ensure their pets do not pose a danger, particularly to vulnerable individuals like children.
As the community grapples with this devastating loss, the case serves as a grim reminder of the potential dangers of allowing aggressive dogs to coexist with young children. With Bates facing significant prison time for his role in this tragedy, many hope that this case will spark a larger conversation about pet ownership responsibilities and the imperative of safeguarding children from known risks.
