A Florida mom went to take a shower — and she left her baby with an animal, cops say
A Southwest Florida mom is out on bail after being charged with child neglect in a disturbing case in Charlotte County.
Chloe Wisniewski, 21, was arrested Friday after a four-month investigation, according to court records.
According to the arrest affidavit, on Feb. 14, Charlotte County deputies went to a home in Port Charlotte, about an hour south of Tampa, on Feb. 14 to investigate a dog bite.
They met with Wisniewski, who said she placed her baby, whose age was not released, in a bassinet so she could take a “quick shower.”
While in the bathroom, the woman heard “screaming,” and exited to see the new family pet Apollo, a 3-month-old pit bull mix they had gotten the night before, “chewing” on the infant’s hand. She said she immediately pulled the dog off of the baby, wrapped the wounds in a cloth, and called 911.
After emergency crews stabilized the baby, she was flown to Tampa General Hospital, where she required surgery for her injuries. Surgeons amputated three fingers from her left hand and partially amputated two fingers from her right, says the complaint.
Charlotte County Animal Control took custody of Apollo, and the Department of Children and Families conducted an assessment of the mother. A urine analysis tested positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, authorities said.
The case was forwarded to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office’s Major Crimes Unit, which conducted the months-long probe.
Authorities found probable cause that Wisniewski “did, by culpable negligence, fail to provide the baby with the care and supervision and services necessary to maintain physical health,” causing “permanent disfigurement” to the child.
As for Apollo, local station NBC-2 reports that he was quarantined as part of protocol, and transferred to the Animal Welfare League.
As the baby recovers with family members, Wisniewski, who posted $7,500 bond on Monday, was granted supervised visitation.
