2-year-old girl died after the dog her parents knew had attacked her before but chose to leave her alone with in a room for an extended period of time mauled her to death; parents charged
Oklahoma – In a harrowing case that has shaken residents in Oklahoma, the parents of a 2-year-old girl, identified as 24-year-old mother D. Lambert and 34-year-old father J. McGuire, have been charged with first-degree murder and animal cruelty after their daughter was mauled to death by a dog they knowingly left her alone with—despite being aware of its dangerous history. Authorities claim that the couple failed in every way to protect their child, who had previously survived another attack by the same dog.
The parents now face the most serious charges possible under Oklahoma law after the death of their daughter, who was fatally attacked on November 18, 2025, inside their home. Following an investigation, the District Attorney’s Office upgraded their charges to first-degree murder and added two counts of animal cruelty.
“This is an unspeakably tragic case,” District Attorney V. Behenna stated. “Lambert and McGuire’s complete disregard for the health, safety, and welfare of their child, and their failure to protect her despite knowing she was at risk, led to her death.” According to law enforcement, officers were dispatched to the McGuire residence after receiving a report of a “child not breathing.” When first responders arrived, they found the 2-year-old girl unresponsive and suffering from horrific injuries consistent with a fatal animal attack. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The most disturbing element of the case, prosecutors say, is that the attack was not the first time the toddler had been attacked by the same dog. Investigators uncovered evidence that the toddler had previously suffered serious injuries from the same animal. Yet, the parents continued to keep the dog in the home—and worse, left their daughter alone in a room with it for an extended period of time. “This wasn’t an accident,” said Police Sgt. D. Quirk. “The child was left in that room with the animal for a substantial period of time before she was discovered deceased.”
Animal welfare officers removed four dogs from the home after the attack, including three that were described as malnourished. The condition of the dogs only added to the growing case against the parents, who, authorities say, exhibited a pattern of neglect and cruelty not just toward their animals but also toward their own daughter. Two bearded dragons were also seized from the home. The official charges allege that Lambert and McGuire maliciously failed to protect their child, knowingly placing her in the presence of a dangerous, neglected dog. The couple’s failure to intervene despite clear warning signs—and previous injuries—was central to the decision to pursue the highest level of charges.
Both defendants remain in custody at the county jail on a $1 million bond each. If convicted of first-degree murder, they face a sentence of life in prison or life without the possibility of parole. Under Oklahoma law, the death penalty is also a possible sentence in cases involving first-degree murder, though it has not yet been confirmed if prosecutors will pursue it. As the investigation continues and the legal process unfolds, the young girl’s death stands as a gut-wrenching reminder of how willful neglect can lead to unimaginable tragedy. In this case, a young life was ended not by a stranger or a sudden event—but by the indifference and inaction of the two people entrusted with her safety.
