Baby experiencing overdose also gets attacked by family’s dog, NC sheriff says

A baby found in the midst of a drug overdose had also been attacked by a dog, according to investigators in North Carolina.

It happened in the Gamewell area near Lenoir and resulted in the child’s mother being arrested Tuesday, June 24, Caldwell County jail records show.

“A 9-month-old infant is in a Charlotte-area hospital after an apparent drug overdose and injuries consistent with a dog bite,” the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

“Authorities say lifesaving efforts by Gamewell firefighters were crucial in stabilizing the child before transport.”

Hospital staff found evidence the baby had “been bitten by the family dog,” officials said.

The child’s 33-year-old mother has been charged with felony child abuse with “serious physical injury” and bond was set at $200,000, records show.

McClatchy News is not naming the mother to protect the identity of the child.

“Child Protective Services and local law enforcement are conducting a joint investigation,” the sheriff’s office said.

Gamewell is about an 80-mile drive northwest from Charlotte.

This story was originally published June 26, 2025 at 7:21 AM with the headline "Baby experiencing overdose also gets attacked by family’s dog, NC sheriff says."