13 March 2024 , 09:27
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A Nebraska mum has been accused of attempting to hide her bloody clothes after her disabled daughter had her scalp nearly torn off in a brutal dog attack.
Four-year-old Liliana was rushed to the ICU at Nebraska Medicine and was left with horrific injuries after she was mauled by a Cane Corso Mastiff mix belonging to her mum's boyfriend on February 20. Her family has shared that she’s out of intensive care but still faces a lengthy road to recovery.
The girl’s mother, Danielle Stratman, 25, allegedly attempted to divert attention from what had happened by changing out of her blood-soaked clothes and hiding them under a bed when Omaha police officers responded to a call about a child bitten by a dog, KETV reported.
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(Danielle Stratman /Instagram)Despite attempts to divert their attention, Animal Control eventually found the dog, which belonged to Stratman’s boyfriend, Greg Preister, 42. The dog was euthanized by the Nebraska Humane Society (NHS).
Girl, 4, mauled to death in dog attack pictured as neighbours hear mum's screams
“We immediately euthanized the dog and sent the tissue out for testing due to the severity of the injuries and where they were located,” Pam Wiese with NHS told the station. “It needs to be expedited because the injuries were very close to the brain.”
The family have faced extensive medical costs, and a GoFundMe was launched by Lillianna’s great-aunt Kimberly Lane Koterba to help cover their huge bills. “She is 4 years old and her scalp was torn off, her cheekbone was broken, she has torn ligaments in her neck and stitches all over her body,” the fundraiser shares.
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“She is now out of ICU but will possibly [be] having another surgery later this week. Many more to follow. She’s also going to need therapy for the trauma.”
Little Lillianna was also born with spina bifida, a birth defect that affects spinal cord development. $13,000 (£10,000) has been fundraised for her care so far.
Stratman and Preister were both arrested for obstruction following the attack. Police said Stratman had a judge-mandated no-contact order in place prohibiting her from seeing her daughter following an arrest for child abuse and domestic assault last month, yet the dog was still allowed near the child.
Preister was additionally cited for having a dangerous dog and pet damaging property. Stratman is in custody at Douglas County Correctional Center on a $150,000 (£117,000) bond.
The fundraiser shares that "Any funds not used for medical purposes will go into a trust account for her future needs. Thank you." It added: "It wouldn’t have happened if the mother had not violated a no-contact order while the child was being babysat by her Grandmother."