Jace Paul Valdez was visiting his mother at her parents’ house in the 27000 block of Medina Circle on Jan. 14.
Around 8 p.m., Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies arrived to find the 16-moth-old brutally mauled inside the home.
The dog lunged at one of the deputies, prompting that deputy to shoot the dog inside the home.
Jace’s father, Jeremy Valdez, released a statement on Thursday, saying he was deeply saddened by the events and is still uncertain of many of the details in the case.
Jeremy and Wells Fargo Bank have teamed up to set up a memorial fund to help with Jace’s funeral and burial costs.
Proceeds will be donated to raise awareness “of the risks associated with leaving small children alone in the presence of large animals.”
PART OF HIS RELEASED STATEMENT:
Jeremy Valdez is deeply saddened from the tragic loss of his 16 month old son, Jace Paul Valdez, from the pit bull attack which occurred Saturday evening. Baby Jace had been in Mr. Valdez’s sole care and custody for over the past year; however the child was visiting his mother for the week where she resides with her parents at their home in Montgomery County and where the attack occurred.
While Mr. Valdez has been informed that baby Jace was left alone and unsupervised in the presence of the pit bull, he is uncertain of many of the details surrounding the events. Detectives are still investigating the facts of that night and whether or not criminal charges will be brought, if any, against any of the residents of the household where the fatality occurred.
Mr. Valdez hopes and prays that the tragic and untimely death of his son will serve as a reminder to the public that children are not, under any circumstances, safe when left alone and unsupervised in the presence of family pets. These types of tragedies can easily be prevented if time is taken to truly understand that. Mr. Valdez believes that a life saved from these efforts will be way to honor his son.
(myFoxHouston - Jan 19, 2012)
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