A 4-year-old Iowa girl has died after being savagely mauled by her babysitter's dog on Monday.
Jordyn Arndt was life-flighted to a Des Moines hospital where she died on Tuesday following the attack by what authorities say was an American Staffordshire terrier.
The dog's owner, Jena Marie Wright, 24, who was babysitting Jordyn and her 7-year-old brother, Aden, at her Prairie City home was arrested on Tuesday.
Killed: Jordyn Arndt, 4, died on Tuesday after being attacked by an American Staffordshire terrier owned by her babysitter in Prairie City, Iowa, according to police
Kind hearted: The platinum blonde girl, seen right holding some kind of rodent in her hand, loved animals according to her mother and was with her 7-year-old brother when mauled by the dog named Brutus
Babysitter: Jena Marie Wright, 24, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with federal child endangerment causing death as well as neglect or abandonment of a dependent person
Type of dog: Authorities say the dog was an American Staffordshire Terrier named Brutus, like one seen here
She's charged with federal child endangerment causing death as well as neglect or abandonment of a dependent person, facing her with up to 35 years in prison.
'I just want her back,' Jordyn's grandmother sobbed before KCCI reporters while clutching pillows once belonging to the child in her home, 'but I know that's not going to happen.'
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She described Jordyn as a tough little girl who loved animals, wearing dresses and playing with dolls but who was always up for running around with the boys.
'She fought so hard,' the girl’s mother, Jessica Arndt, told The Des Moines Register. 'She is loved and will be missed.'
The dog named Brutus is under quarantine for rabies, according to KCCI.
Heartbroken: Jordyn's grandmother sobbed before while clutching pillows once belonging to the child in her home
Scene: A child's toy rests outside the home in Prairie City, Iowa where the attack occurred on Monday afternoon
Buster Wright who lives in the Prairie City home where the attack occurred said he was there when it happened and believes the child was bit on the neck or near her head.
A neighbor across the street who runs a day care told the Des Moines Register that she rarely saw the dog outside the home.
'There was not a mean soul in her body, she was always happy,' her grandmother said.
Jordyn’s mother says she'll hold off blame from Wright saying, 'she needs a lot of prayers, too.'
'I don’t want to put any blame on her, because it was an animal,' Arndt added. 'I’m sure they’ll do their own blame, as far as investigation-wise. I’m not going to do that.'