A three-year-old girl tragically lost her life in a violent dog attack while spending Christmas with her father. Kingsley Renee Wright's father called Ohio police on December 27 after finding blood throughout his living room. His young daughter was already lifeless on the floor. “My baby is dead,” he told the dispatcher. “This has got to be a nightmare.” The Hamilton County Coroner’s Office determined Kingsley had been fatally attacked by the father's three dogs.

Kingsley’s mother, Gina Smith, had taken her to stay at her father’s apartment on December 23 for the holidays. Speaking to WLWT, Smith said she was unaware the dogs posed any danger. She explained it was Kingsley’s first time staying at the apartment. Smith’s last conversation with her daughter was during a Facetime call before Kingsley went to bed that Thursday night.

Early Friday morning, around 7:50 a.m., Kingsley’s father discovered the horrifying scene. Discussions on social media have since debated whether the dogs were pitbulls, XL bullies, or Cane Corsos—breeds often associated with pit bull variants, Animals 24-7 reported. “Those dogs can weigh over 100 pounds,” said Joshua Justice, Smith’s boyfriend, in an interview with WLWT. “Could they have crushed her before mauling her? And why would they attack a sleeping baby?” Cincinnati Animal CARE removed the dogs and placed them in a 10-day quarantine at a shelter. Smith received the devastating news from Kingsley’s older sister that morning. She learned that Kingsley had passed away and that the girl’s father was being questioned by police. The coroner’s office did not allow Smith to see her daughter’s remains due to the severity of the injuries.

“The last time I said goodbye to my baby was when I left her at that house,” Smith told WLWT. “I told her I loved her and that I’d see her in a few days.” She added, “I would never have left her with dangerous dogs. Why would I do that?” While no arrests have been made, the police homicide unit is actively investigating and remains in contact with the family. “How could this happen? I don’t know,” Smith said. “How could he not hear it happening? That’s what I’m questioning. ”She hopes the investigation will provide answers to the lingering questions haunting her. Three days after the attack, a detective informed Smith that a home security camera in the living room captured footage of her daughter sleeping on the couch, WLWT reported.

Despite the horrific loss, Smith expressed gratitude for the community’s support she has received in her home town of Ohio, Cincinnati. “She was such a happy child. She loved singing and dancing,” Smith said. “She brought smiles to so many faces.” Lisa Collins a spokesperson for the animal shelter, confirmed that the dogs will remain in quarantine until further instruction from authorities.