Valdosta Woman Charged with Murder After Toddler Killed by Dogs at Unlicensed Daycare

A 48-year-old Valdosta woman has been charged with second-degree murder and second-degree cruelty to children after a two-year-old boy was fatally attacked by dogs at her unlicensed daycare.

On October 4, 2025, around 3:45 p.m., Valdosta Police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel responded to a home in the 3800 block of Pecan Drive after reports that a child had been attacked by dogs. When first responders arrived, the child was found deceased.

Detectives identified the homeowner as Stacy Wheeler Cobb, who had been operating an unlicensed daycare from her residence. Investigators learned that earlier in the day, the child’s mother dropped him off for care. Cobb admitted she had been taking a nap and thought the child was also asleep. During that time, the unattended child managed to get outside, open a kennel containing two large Rottweilers, and was fatally attacked.

Cobb was arrested and booked into the Lowndes County Jail. Authorities say she typically watched around ten children at her home on a normal day, though the victim was the only child there at the time of the incident.

Lowndes County Animal Control took custody of the two Rottweilers involved, along with a third dog from the property.

Police Chief Leslie Manahan called the case “a horrible and tragic event that should have never occurred.”

“Because of negligence on this offender’s behalf, a mother has tragically lost a child,” Chief Manahan said. “Our hearts go out to the family during this unimaginably difficult time, and we also keep our first responders in our prayers as they process what they witnessed.”

The investigation remains ongoing, and detectives say additional charges may follow.