DETROIT (WWJ) -- A Southwest Detroit man has been found not guilty on all charges in the death of a 9-year-old girl who fatally mauled by his dogs.
Pierre Cleveland was charged with second degree murder. involuntary manslaughter and possession of a dangerous animal causing death after his three dogs attacked Emma Hernandez as she rode her bike in an alley next to her home, in the area of Central Avenue and Smart Street, in August of 2019.
The jury acquitted Cleveland on all counts, after his defense attorney argued, along with witnessed, that the dogs had no history of being dangerous.
A bystander shot one of the dogs in an attempt to rescue the little girl, while another threw bricks at them, but they were unable to put a stop to the deadly attack.
According to a report by the Detroit News, the dogs grabbed the little girl by the leg and "start(ed) eating her," witness Luiz Cruz testified during Cleveland's preliminary exam in October of 2019.
Emma was taken to Children's Hospital of Michigan, where she was pronounced dead. Her father, Armando Hernandez, said he did everything he could to save her.
"I tried my best. I tried CPR, I tried helping her. I couldn't do it. I tried, I did everything I could in my power to just -- she was gone. She was gone when I reached her," Hernandez told WWJ's Charlie Langton, following the tragic incident.
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Hernandez alleged that Cleveland, a neighbor, had been warned that the fence separating the two homes was flimsy and that he needed to better restrain the animals. "I knew the dogs were there. I knew the neighbor. We had an argument about it just last week and he just didn't take care of his dogs properly. He could have prevented this," said Hernandez.
The Wayne Counyy Prosecutor's Office said in a statement that while it respects the jury process, it disagrees with the verdict in this case.
A GoFundMe page the Hernandez family described Emma as "a wonderful child who touched the lives of those around her."
"Emma dedicated her life to school work, playing and enjoying life with her family. Quick to get a head start on school work. She was such a smart and silly girl. Loved to be outdoors and play with her cousins. A beautiful soul inside and out."
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