Leeland Brown was staying with an aunt when the dog attack happened at the home of a family acquaintance on Afton Road.
According to a Greene County Sheriff's Department report, Leeland went with an older cousin to another person's house on Monday. That's where a chained up pit bull mix mauled Brown.
Leeland suffered a severe bite to the head and was flown to the Johnson City Medical Center for treatment.
The dog was shot and killed before the Greene County Sheriff's Department arrived. Animal control came out and picked up the dog's body for testing
Wednesday night, Leeland Brown's mother spoke to News Channel 11's Ted Overbay. Despite his very serious medical condition... she's hopeful he will make a full recovery.
"I just want him to be ok," said Kayla Brown. "He's not going to look the same. I hope and pray he's not scared of dogs because he's got two dogs here that he was totally in love with."
Brown said her son has undergone three surgeries so far.
According to Kayla Brown, Leeland was staying with an aunt while the Department of Children's Services was investigating an allegation abuse at the Brown home. The alleged victim was Leeland's sibling.
Kayla Brown told us that abuse allegation is unfounded.
The Tennessee Department of Children's Services told News Channel 11 that it's aware of the Brown case.
"The child is not in custody, although we are involved and coordinating our inquiry with the Greene County Sheriff's Department," said Rob Johnson, spokesman for the Tennessee Department of Children's Services. "The child has been transferred to a Knoxville hospital for treatment, and right now, we have no reason to believe that the child won't make a full recovery."
A hospital spokesman in Knoxville said he could not give out information when News Channel 11 inquired about Leeland Brown's condition.
(WJHL - June 12, 2013)
