Investigators said a boy died and a girl suffered serious bite injuries
June 18, 2026 | California City, CA
What happened during the incident?
A 12-year-old boy died after drowning while fleeing a dog attack on June 18 at Central Park in California City. A girl was also injured in the attack near the lake at 10350 Heather Avenue.
Kenneth Dobbins, 68, is wanted on charges of involuntary manslaughter and negligent owner of a mischievous animal after a boy died and a girl was injured at Central Park.
- Date and time: June 18 at approximately 6:07 p.m.
- Location: Central Park Lake, 10350 Heather Avenue, California City, CA
- Victims: 12-year-old boy (deceased), girl with serious but non-life-threatening bite injuries
- Suspect: Kenneth Dobbins, 68, 6'6", 250 pounds, gray hair, brown eyes
- Charges: Involuntary manslaughter and negligent ownership of a mischievous animal
First responders recovered the boy from the lake bottom, performed CPR, and transported him to Tehachapi Hospital before transfer to Children's Hospital, where he died the following day. An arrest warrant has been issued for Dobbins, who is believed to be avoiding law enforcement.
Why do these incidents happen?
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, more than 4.5 million dog bites occur annually in the U.S., with roughly 800,000 requiring medical attention. Studies link most fatal attacks to preventable factors such as irresponsible ownership and lack of supervision.
| Statistic | Source | Details |
|---|
| Annual U.S. dog bites | AVMA | More than 4.5 million |
| Bites needing medical care | AVMA | Approximately 800,000 |
| Breeds involved in fatal attacks (past decade) | AVMA | At least 58 |
Legal Insights
In cases such as this, time is of the essence. A grieving family must ensure that evidence is reviewed efficiently. In addition to the diligent work of police and animal control agencies, an attorney will carefully examine what may have contributed to the attack. As an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a grieving family during this difficult time, while protecting their legal rights and best interests.
— Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal.
Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain, suffering, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident. A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their best interests are taken care of.
— Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal.
The injured girl may also have the right to pursue a personal injury claim.
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).