Arkansas Horror: 3 charged after unrestrained dog drags 2-year-old girl into woods, killing her

A shocking case has emerged in Arkansas, where three people were arrested after a 2-year-old girl was killed in a dog attack. In a statement on August 4, 2026, the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office said Earnest Jackson, 54, Christina Hart, 41, and MaKayla Jackson, 21, were each arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a minor in connection with the fatal incident.

They were held at the Regional Detention Facility, and it was not immediately clear if they have entered pleas or retained attorneys to speak on their behalf. Deputies were called to the scene on March 28 after receiving a report of an “animal attack involving a 2-year-old girl.”




The minor was killed on Saturday, March 28, 2026, when a neighbor's dog that was neither fenced in nor kept on a chain attacked her and dragged her into the woods. Life-saving measures were performed, but Jackson was pronounced dead at the scene, KATV reported, citing police.

Family members identified the girl as Celeste Jackson in a GoFundMe campaign. “Celeste was a very smart baby who brought so much joy to our lives,” the fundraiser read. “She loved watching Ms. Rachel, Bluey, and Stitch, and her bright spirit touched everyone who knew her. Our family is having a hard time processing this loss, and we are doing our best to support each other as we grieve.” As of August 5, 2026, the GoFundMe was nearing its $5,000 goal for memorial expenses.