Tiara Freeman, the mom of the 4-year-old woman who died following a canine assault over the weekend, says she was taking steps to get her life again on observe after experiencing homelessness.

The 23-year-old Dallas resident discovered a spot to dwell in a southeast Oak Cliff neighborhood earlier in March. Final month, she discovered a job 10 minutes away, she informed The Dallas Morning Information in an interview on Monday.

Final Saturday morning, Freeman left her residence with one of many individuals she was dwelling with to go purchase beer. A lady, who additionally lived on the home, situated on the 5600 block of Bluffman Drive, was supposed to observe two of her daughters, Freeman mentioned. Her youngest daughter, who’s 9 months outdated, was staying along with her father that day, she mentioned.

When Freeman returned dwelling, she mentioned she was shocked to study that her 4-year-old daughter, Lea, was concerned in a deadly canine assault.

Officers have been referred to as to the home simply earlier than eight a.m. about an animal assault. Police have mentioned “a canine” bit the woman a number of occasions. She was taken to a hospital, the place she later died, police have mentioned.

Freeman mentioned the girl she was dwelling with, whom she recognized as “Simone,” didn’t inform her that her daughter was attacked till after Freeman returned from the shop.

“I don’t get a name once I’m on the retailer, I don’t get a name from her letting me know that my child is useless,” Freeman mentioned.

Freeman mentioned she picked up Lea’s physique and introduced her outdoors. She requested a neighbor throughout the road, Michael Pennington, to name 911. She additionally obtained her 1-year-old daughter, who was unhurt through the incident, out of the home, Freeman mentioned.

Pennington on Sunday informed The Dallas Morning Information that the girl Freeman was staying with was outdoors when the assault occurred, and that the 2 kids have been alone with the canines.

He and others who’re acquainted with the neighborhood mentioned the canines obtained unfastened on a number of events and confirmed aggressive conduct towards individuals. Pennington’s sister, Lorie Pennington, mentioned she had referred to as the town’s animal companies in Could in regards to the canines escaping the home. Dallas Animal Companies on Monday declined to reply questions associated to what number of calls they acquired from neighbors concerning the canines.

On Monday, Marlo Clingman, a spokeswoman for Dallas Animal Companies mentioned three canines have been picked up from the property.

Dallas police beforehand mentioned one canine was picked up by the town’s animal companies division, however has since confirmed that a number of canines have been taken into custody. Freeman mentioned she thinks all three of the canines in the home, which she described as pit bulls, attacked Lea.

Officers haven’t mentioned what breed the canines have been, and Dallas police declined to reply questions associated to what number of canines have been concerned within the assault, pointing to the continued investigation. No arrests have been made in reference to the incident, mentioned Michael Dennis, a Dallas police spokesman.

The Dallas County medical expert’s workplace on Monday confirmed the id of the 4-year-old sufferer. The reason for demise has not been decided, in response to the medical expert’s workplace.

Freeman mentioned she is now not staying on the home at which the assault occurred, and feels “blessed” to be getting assist from others within the neighborhood, together with the Penningtons. Her 1-year-old daughter who was in the home through the assault is at present staying along with her grandmother.

Tiffani Butler, a spokeswoman for the Texas Division of Household and Protecting Companies, confirmed that Freeman’s 1-year-old daughter is with a member of the family.

“In circumstances like this, typically we ask a member of the family to step up and supervise contact with the mum or dad,” Butler mentioned.

Lea was a contented child who cherished gymnastics, Freeman mentioned. She mentioned she thinks her daughter could be alive if an grownup had been inside the home.

On a GoFundMe web page that was began by Freeman’s household to assist with funeral prices, Lea was described as a “vivid star who cherished to bake cookies, play along with her sisters, and would give a first-class trend present” with a contagious snicker.

She would typically sing the phrases, “My title is Lea Bea, it good to satisfy ya,” in response to the GoFundMe web page.

“I’m devastated,” Freeman mentioned.

Employees author Nataly Keomoungkhoun contributed to this report.