Parents of the Year Award: Couple Charged After Toddler Becomes Dog Snack

In a shocking display of parental negligence, the geniuses behind a sleeping 3-year-old who was mauled to death by dogs in upstate New York have been charged with manslaughter. Because when you're high, who needs to worry about pesky things like child safety?

The Scene of the Crime

Little Sulamain Hawkins Jr. was having a nap in the attic of a Rochester home when he became an impromptu doggie buffet. Rochester Police Department Capt. Greg Bello shared the delightful details.

The historic Maplewood District home, about three miles from downtown, was the perfect setting for this horror show.

Meet the Parents of the Year

The dynamic duo, Anastasia Weaver and Sulamain Hawkins Sr., both 19, were crashing in the unfinished attic. They didn't live there but were known squatters.

Around 1 p.m., these responsible adults left their baby on the floor to go downstairs and smoke weed, leaving two "pit bull type" dogs to babysit. When they returned, surprise! Their child was unresponsive after a thorough mauling.

The Fate of the Baby

The infant suffered "severe trauma" and was rushed to the hospital, where he died a few hours later. Rochester Animal Services promptly euthanized the dogs, because who needs witnesses?

Justice Served, Sort Of

Both parents were arrested on Wednesday and charged with second-degree manslaughter. They're being held on a $15,000 bond in Monroe County Jail.

In a riveting court appearance, they pleaded not guilty. Assistant District Attorney Sara VanStrydonck pointed out the obvious: "This isn't a case where a mom briefly leaves a baby to tend to another child. These defendants acted recklessly." Ya think?

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