This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.

A Pennsylvania man is facing multiple charges after throwing a toddler into a Pack-n-Play so hard the impact fatally crushed a Chihuahua who was in there. Demand maximum sentencing in this case!
 

According to the Altoona Police Department, on May 25, 2024, a witness reported a man could repeatedly be seen striking a child through an unveiled window and slamming the child into what would be identified as a Pack-n-Play. Arriving officers discovered the 18-month-old toddler had marks on their cheeks, forehead, and back and was transported to the UPMC Altoona Hospital for treatment.

Officers learned the child and Chihuahua were frequently placed in the Pack-n-Play together, and determined that on that night the force of the child's body being slammed in there fatally wounded the dog.

Bryan Morales Gracia was arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, and aggravated cruelty to animals. He has additional misdemeanor charges of recklessly endangering another person, simple assault, and summary counts of harassment and cruelty to animals. He was booked into the Blair County Prison and is on the docket for his preliminary hearing on July 5, 2024.

According to the Altoona Mirror, Gracia told police he hit the toddler to reprimand him for hitting the dog, but the severity of the response and resulting suffering caused to both the child and dog deserves serious attention and Gracia must be held accountable.

We must stress the importance of maximum sentencing, a mental health evaluation and treatment, anger management, and mandate that Gracia be monitored in the presence of children and not be allowed to engage with animals in any form.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Man Who Abused Toddler and Killed His Chihuahua Earned Maximum Sentencing

I am writing to you to support the prosecution of Bryan Morales Gracia, who was arrested for brutalizing a toddler in an incident that ultimately also led to the death of a Chihuahua in the home.

Gracia must be held accountable and must not only face maximum sentencing, he must be prohibited from spending unattended time with a child, be banned from engaging with animals, and undergo a psychiatric evaluation and treatment for his dominance issues.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.