An Indiana mother has been charged with reckless homicide after her three-month-old daughter was fatally mauled by a pit bull while asleep in the family’s bedroom. Paitlyn Grove, 25, was charged over a year after the death of Zaelynn Grove, which occurred on April 3, 2025, at the family’s home in Brownstown, about 70 miles south of Indianapolis.
Tragic Incident
According to the probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, the attack occurred after Zaelynn began crying in her bedroom. One of two pit bulls, owned by a man living in the basement of the home, reportedly mauled the infant. Paitlyn Grove told deputies with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) that she was cooking dinner in the kitchen and speaking with her grandmother when Zaelynn began crying.
Paitlyn stated that she heard a dog barking shortly after hearing her daughter cry. She went to check on Zaelynn approximately three to five minutes later, only to find her daughter dead. After a brief phone call to her husband, Dakota, Paitlyn called 911, reporting that her daughter had been killed by the dog.
Investigation Findings
Detectives discovered disturbing details about the household’s safety measures. Paitlyn reportedly told deputies that the dog responsible for the attack, named Simba, had previously taken a blanket off Zaelynn while the infant was in her car seat.
Detective Clint Burcham noted that there was a significant amount of blood on the bed where Zaelynn had been sleeping and that the bedroom door’s gate was not properly secured, leaving it open for the dog to enter.
Further investigation revealed that the wooden shutter used to keep the dogs in the basement was also not in place during the incident. Even when the shutter and gate were used, they were not secure enough to keep the dogs contained.
Previous Warning Signs
Interviews with the dogs’ owner, Todd Banks, and his wife, Amanda, revealed that Simba had previously attempted to pick up the infant, and when Zaelynn cried, Simba would approach her. In a 911 call, Todd could be heard saying, “I knew she would do it,” a remark that Burcham believes referred to Simba’s attack on Zaelynn.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
On May 8, Paitlyn Grove was charged with reckless homicide, a Level 5 felony in Indiana, which carries a penalty of up to six years in prison if convicted. In a related development, Todd Banks was also indicted on the same charge on May 7.
The dog responsible for the fatal attack, Simba, was euthanized, while the other pit bull was returned to Todd Banks at his request.
Paitlyn, who has three other children, and Todd Banks have not yet been booked into custody as of May 12, but they are due to face court proceedings soon. The case highlights the tragic consequences of neglecting proper safety measures in a home with young children and dangerous animals.
