A baby girl was mauled to death by a dog at a house as her parents attended a party downstairs.
Marly Grace Wilander, just one, was attacked by a pitbull mixed-breed dog as she slept in a playpen upstairs in the home in Joliet, Illinois, US, the local fire department reported.
Marly's parents had put her upstairs for a nap in a quiet bedroom as the Fourth of July party took place downstairs, according to police.
The homeowner's two dogs had been put in the basement but somehow managed to escape.
Police said the homeowner witnessed one of the dogs biting the toddler and separated them before calling emergency services for help.
Marly, described as "the most beautiful little girl," was taken to hospital by paramedics but sadly died two hours later.
Joliet police told Yahoo news: "At sometime during the night, the dogs got out of the basement.
"The homeowner went upstairs to investigate a noise and located one of the dogs actively biting the toddler.
"The homeowner was able to separate the dog from the toddler and called 911 where Joliet Police and Fire responded."
A gofundme page has been set up by Marley's auntie Angie Wojcik and the lifelong friend of the baby's dad Benjamin Wright to help the family as they grieve the tragedy.
The fundraising page says: "From the start this perfect little girl constantly filled the room and hearts of whoever she came into contact with."
It continues: "Marley loved life and everything she was able to experience.
"Beyond intelligent, intuitive, and calming, this child has so many traits of a wonderful human being and had a big purpose.
"Marley was not only the whole world and universe of her parents, but a sign that hope, love, innocence, and purity was always more powerful than the negative."
To donate, click here.
