BY ROBIN KNEPPER
Orange County authorities continue to investigate the death of a toddler apparently mauled by the family's pit bull.
"We are interviewing all the people who were there, and following up rumors and all leads," Sheriff Mark Amos said yesterday, "
Jasmine Deane, who would have been 2 years old Oct. 31, was killed Sunday evening by her family's 10-year-old pit bull in the backyard of the family's home in the Mountain Track Road area in southern Orange County.
The toddler was found by a family member after the child wandered away from the house. Sheriff's deputies and rescue personnel reported that she was unresponsive when they arrived and bore signs of mauling.
Jasmine was transported to the University of Virginia Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at
According to reports from the Sheriff's Office, the pit bull had been chained, and the body of the toddler was found nearby. The family surrendered the dog to Animal Control, and it was euthanized.
Jasmine was the daughter of Kristy Jo Fincham, 23, and Johnny Neal Deane, 26, formerly of Culpeper County. According to Amos, the family recently moved to Orange County.
No charges have been placed in the case, according to Commonwealth's Attorney Diana Wheeler. Sheriff's Capt. Randy Shifflett and Investigator Sue Harner are heading up the investigation.
"It's an ongoing investigation," Wheeler said, "and we're looking into the situation because of conflicting information we've gotten concerning the incident."
Robin Knepper: 540/972-5701
Email: rknepper@earthlink.net