Tragic Twist in Infant Death Case: New York Baby Was Already Deceased Before Dog Inflicted Postmortem Injuries

One-month-old Kiyanna Winfield had died from unknown causes before she was mauled by the family's six-week-old pit bull-German Shepherd-mix puppy

A heartbreaking incident involving a one-month-old baby girl initially believed to have been mauled to death by the family’s puppy has taken a devastating turn, as authorities revealed the infant was already dead before the dog inflicted any injuries.

The baby, Kiyanna Winfield, born April 13, was discovered lifeless in her family's apartment in the Queensbridge public housing complex early Tuesday morning. Initial reports indicated that the infant had been attacked by a six-week-old pit bull-German Shepherd mix, prompting a 911 call from her mother just after 6:30 a.m.

The mother told police she and her partner had been sleeping with Kiyanna between them and awoke to the horrifying sight of their puppy biting the infant’s face. Neighbors reported hearing screaming from the sixth floor of the building before emergency responders rushed to the scene.

The family's six-week-old pit bull-German Shepherd-mix puppy

Medical examiners later confirmed that the baby’s devastating facial injuries were inflicted after death. “We can confirm this is not a death from a dog mauling. The injuries inflicted by the dog were postmortem,” a spokesperson from the New York City Office of the Medical Examiner said. The cause and manner of death remain undetermined pending a full pediatric workup.

While the puppy had bitten off a “substantial portion” of the child’s face, officials emphasized these wounds occurred after Kiyanna had already passed away. The exact circumstances of the infant’s death remain unclear as investigators await the results of further testing.

The fate of the puppy has not yet been disclosed. Authorities continue to investigate the incident to determine how the infant died before the dog interaction occurred.

'The cause and manner of death are pending further study following the examination today,' a spokesperson for the New York City Office of the Medical Examiner told The New York Post Wednesday (Pictured: Queensbridge public housing)

This case follows a similar tragedy that occurred just weeks earlier in Columbus, Ohio, where seven-month-old Elizah Turner was fatally attacked by one of her family’s three pit bulls. Elizah was initially transported to a fire station and then to Nationwide Children's Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Authorities described the incident as a tragic accident, and no charges were filed. Animal control removed the pit bulls from the home, and an investigation was launched to determine the dogs' future.

These deeply distressing events have sparked renewed concern about infant safety around pets, especially breeds associated with aggressive behavior, though officials in the New York case clarified the dog was not responsible for the infant's death.