Youngstown newborn killed when dog tried to pick it up, authorities say; family getting threats

YOUNGSTOWN

No charges will be filed against the mother of Aiden Grim after the Mahoning County Coroner’s office ruled the death of the 3-day-old baby in his Valerie Drive home was accidental.

The baby died after being bitten by one of the family’s five dogs.

Detective Sgt. David Sweeney, lead investigator on the case, said Aiden’s mother, Kristy Grim, would not be charged. Sweeney said there is no evidence she intentionally tried to harm her child.

Dr. Joseph Ohr, the forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy on Aiden, said the baby died from four puncture wounds on the skull when a dog in the home tried to pick up the baby out of a clothes basket that was on the floor next to a couch where his mother was sleeping.

“It seems very clear from the injuries to the baby that the dog was trying to pick the baby up from the laundry basket,” Dr. Ohr said.

The dog is at the Mahoning County Dog Pound. He was taken there after police and paramedics were called about 5:45 a.m. Sunday to the South Side home and found the baby dead. Sweeney said the dog’s fate has not been determined.

Kristy Grim said she had nothing to say Tuesday, except that she was not doing well.

Patricia Grim, Aiden’s grandmother and Kristy’s mother, said the family is grateful no charges will be filed. She said they were informed by the coroner’s office Monday evening her grandson’s death would be ruled accidental.

She also thanked the staff from the coroner’s office, police and ambulance workers for their help and treatment.

She said the family has been fielding threats and had to call police Monday to watch their home.

Read more about the situation in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.