Boy, 12, Drowns After Man's Dogs Go On the Attack

A California man is facing a murder charge after authorities say a 12-year-old boy drowned while trying to escape his dogs. Prosecutors in Kern County have charged 68-year-old Kenneth Dobbins with first-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and multiple counts related to allegedly allowing dangerous dogs to run loose, reports People. Police say three of Dobbins' dogs attacked an 8-year-old girl and chased 12-year-old Fernando Torres Moreno into a lake at California City's Central Park on June 18. The girl was seriously injured but survived; Fernando was later pulled from the water and died at a hospital.

A search warrant cited by local outlets alleges that an officer had warned Dobbins about the dogs' behavior two days earlier, and that during the June 18 incident, Dobbins went into the water to retrieve his animals but didn't try to help either child. He has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail, per KGET, with a court date set for July 14. Police say Dobbins fled after the incident and was arrested days later in Lancaster, following a tip, per People. A GoFundMe for Fernando's family had raised more than $22,000 as of Wednesday afternoon.