NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. -- Newton County deputies said a 9-month-old baby is in critical condition after being attacked by raccoons in her crib. Deputies are trying to figure out how the animals got inside.
Deputies were called to a home at 125 Brook Hollow Way at 4 a.m.
“It is very scary. I mean I couldn't imagine. I couldn't imagine having wild animals come in and attack my children,” said neighbor Rachael Brent.
Deputies say mother Melissa Cannon was asleep inside her home with her 9-month-old daughter when two raccoons somehow got inside and attacked the baby in her crib. She was taken immediately to Children's Hospital at Egleston. Deputies said the raccoons tried to eat the baby, leaving significant bites on her face, hands and feet. They're still trying to figure out exactly how the raccoons got inside the house.
“There’s reports that they're being kept as pets and another report that they came in through the air conditioning panels of a window,” said Lt. Tyrone Oliver.
Four other kids were home, but no one else was hurt. Neighbors said the parents would never put their children in harms way.
“They’re a very good Christian family. Very close family, they love their children very much,” said neighbor Sheryl Brent.
The home is in a rural wooded area, and neighbors said raccoons and other wildlife are common, but they usually don't attack. The raccoons were outside the home by the time Newton County Sheriff’s deputies arrived. They shot one raccoon after it became aggressive.
“I’m very concerned for the family. Prayers, a lot of prayers, for the family and really just pray that the baby will be OK,” said Sheryl Brent.
Deputies caught one of the raccoons. It tested negative for rabies. Animal control would still like to find and test the wounded raccoon.


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/11/04/earlyshow/main7021548.shtml