A 6-month-old girl died after being attacked by a dog in Alabaster, Alabama, last week, police confirmed.
Alabaster police said the attack happened around 10 a.m. Friday at a family member’s home. According to police, there were two dogs at the home at the time. Both were taken into a 10-day quarantine by animal control.
Anna Southard, the mother of 6-month-old Ember Renee Southard, said her daughter was attacked by an 11-year-old American Bully. The dog had no history of violence or aggression toward children, she said.
Southard said she hadn’t even been gone 20 minutes when she got the call. By the time she saw Ember again at the hospital, she “already looked dead,” Southard said.
According to Bibb County Coroner Patrick Turner, the victim was taken to a children’s hospital after being attacked. The coroner said the baby was from Bibb County, though the attack happened at a family member’s home in Shelby County.
Alabaster police are investigating the case but are not pursuing charges at this time. They are leaving it up to the Shelby County district attorney and grand jury.
Southard did not wish to do an on-camera interview but answered questions via email. The questions and responses are as follows:
How are you and your family holding up right now amid this tragedy?
“My family isn’t holding up,” Southard replied. “We lost a perfect baby. My daughter. We lost my daughter in a horrible accident within 20 minutes.”
Can you tell me what happened on Friday? Who was Ember with and what led up to the attack? What kind of dog was it that attacked her?
“Friday morning, I went to take my grandmother to a doctor’s appointment at 9:40, I was going to just take my daughter with me but my family said 20 minutes would be fine,” Southard wrote. “We hadn’t even checked in at the doctor, we hadn’t even been gone 20 minutes, before we got a phone call from the family member watching her. I raced home, and got there just behind the ambulance. My daughter already looked dead. I hit my knees in the driveway hard enough to make them bleed. I heard dog attack. My grandfather got there the same time I did. They got Ember in the ambulance, and I rode upfront. I kept begging for her to be okay but I already knew my daughter wasn’t going to live. I knew it the moment I saw her blue and unmoving. She was with this family member for 20 minutes. She was attacked by an American Bully, an 11 year old dog that had been around countless children, and has never harmed one before.”
How did you find out what happened? What were your first thoughts when you heard?
“My first thoughts were rage,” Southard stated. “The family member fell asleep with my daughter on their chest, my daughter fell from their chest and was mauled by the dog. They then called my nanny, and then 911. The family member is epileptic and had a seizure AFTER my daughter was in the ambulance. Trauma at Children’s did their best, and before she went up to the OR they told me it was very touch and go, and unlikely my daughter would live. I still begged them to. At 1:10 Ember passed away despite over a dozen doctors best interest.”
Even though she was extremely young, what kind of personality did Ember have?
“My daughter was so sweet,” Southard replied. “She had the sweetest smile, the cutest squeal. Ember was such a joy. Such a good baby. She always had a little smile and big beautiful eyes. She hated to be cold, or wet. I can’t even describe the feeling of cleaning the blood off my daughter. Of wrapping her body in warm blankets so that she wouldn’t be cold. Only me, and my grandparents saw her first after she passed. I didn’t allow anyone else to see her until she was as clean and warm as she could be.
“Ember’s nickname was noodle. Because as a newborn she had little noodly- toes and the name just stuck. A wittle noodle. A perfect noodle. She was loved by so many people. Ember was an expert at smiling at you before spitting up on you, she had the sweetest voice. She had just learned how to roll over. There wasn’t a soul that met her that didn’t absolutely love her. She had wild blonde/red hair, big bright eyes. There was never a more perfect baby than my noodle.”
Will you be pressing charges or seeking legal action for the death of your daughter?
“At first, when I was angry, yes I wanted charges pressed,” Southard wrote. “There is an investigation, but I am not going to push it one way or the other. I will NEVER forgive this family member for falling asleep with my daughter on their chest. Never. My daughter is gone forever because they couldn’t follow a simple [expletive] rule. I follow safe sleep rules to the letter, and I never allow my children around dogs like that. Always supervised with me holding them. I don’t believe charges should be continued, and I will not be actively pressing them. I think the punishment of knowing what their neglect did to my daughter will haunt them for the rest of their life, as it should. It was an accident. An avoidable accident, is still an accident.”
A GoFundMe has been started to help cover funeral costs. What does that mean to you and your family?
“The GoFundMe is to help with funeral costs for my daughter, and everything surrounding,” Southard stated. “Flowers, headstone, burial plot. I didn’t make the GoFundMe, my aunt did. The GoFundMe names the car wreck I had Thursday morning, where I hit two deer and damaged my car. I could care less about my car.”
How can the community help y’all through this time?
“Community wise? I don’t know honestly,” Southard replied. “The GoFundMe is open for donations, they can also donate via cash app or venmo. But the main the the community can do for me is hold their babies closer. Follow safe sleep. Keep dogs, ALL DOGS, away from your baby. Any dog can kill an infant. There’s no reason to risk it. It’s never worth it. Please, please keep your children away from dogs and follow safe sleep. This dog was 11 years old and had never harmed a human, much less a child.”
Is there anything else you want to say about Ember or share about the incident?
“The only extra thing about Ember, is she was hardly called Ember,” Southard wrote. “She was, is and always will be my little noodle baby.”
Lucky Items for Each Zodiac Sign When Leaving the House
Each zodiac sign has unique traits, and carrying the right lucky item can help enhance confidence, attract positivity, and ward off negative energy. Here’s a detailed guide to the best lucky item for each zodiac sign, along with its estimated luck-boosting percentage when stepping out of the house!
♈ Aries (March 21 – April 19) – Red Bracelet (Luck: 85%)
Aries is ruled by Mars, the planet of energy and action. A red bracelet enhances Aries’ natural confidence and drive, helping them stay focused and fearless. Red symbolizes power, passion, and determination, giving Aries an extra push to succeed in their daily ventures.
🔮 Why it works: Red is Aries’ power color, and a bracelet worn on the dominant hand acts as a talisman for success and courage.
♉ Taurus (April 20 – May 20) – Small Jade Stone (Luck: 80%)
Taurus is an earth sign ruled by Venus, which governs beauty, stability, and wealth. A jade stone is a powerful amulet for attracting prosperity and grounding energy.
🔮 Why it works: Jade is known to bring financial luck and emotional balance, keeping Taurus calm and focused throughout the day.
♊ Gemini (May 21 – June 20) – Silver Keychain (Luck: 75%)
Gemini thrives on communication and new experiences. A silver keychain symbolizes opportunities and open doors, attracting luck in networking, career, and personal encounters.
🔮 Why it works: Silver is a protective metal that enhances clarity and intuition, while a key symbolizes unlocking possibilities.
♋ Cancer (June 21 – July 22) – Moon-Shaped Pendant (Luck: 90%)
Cancer is deeply connected to the Moon, which governs emotions and intuition. Wearing a moon-shaped pendant offers emotional balance, protection, and luck in decision-making.
🔮 Why it works: The Moon influences Cancer’s energy, and a pendant amplifies their intuition, helping them navigate daily challenges with ease.
♌ Leo (July 23 – August 22) – Gold Accessory (Luck: 88%)
Leos are ruled by the Sun, radiating confidence and charisma. A gold accessory (ring, necklace, or bracelet) amplifies their natural glow, attracting admiration and success.
🔮 Why it works: Gold represents strength, royalty, and power, making Leo shine even brighter in social and professional settings.
♍ Virgo (August 23 – September 22) – Neatly Folded Handkerchief (Luck: 70%)
Virgos are meticulous and value order. Carrying a neatly folded handkerchief ensures they feel prepared and composed, reducing anxiety and inviting good fortune.
🔮 Why it works: A handkerchief symbolizes cleanliness and organization, which helps Virgos maintain control over their surroundings.
♎ Libra (September 23 – October 22) – Rose Quartz Crystal (Luck: 85%)
Libras seek harmony and love, and a rose quartz crystal enhances their ability to attract positive relationships and avoid conflicts.
🔮 Why it works: Rose quartz emits a gentle, loving energy that helps Libras maintain balance and charm in their interactions.
♏ Scorpio (October 23 – November 21) – Black Obsidian Stone (Luck: 92%)
Scorpios have intense energy and need protection from negativity. A black obsidian stone shields them from harmful influences while boosting their personal power.
🔮 Why it works: Black obsidian absorbs negative energy and strengthens Scorpios’ natural resilience and intuition.
♐ Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21) – Feather Charm (Luck: 78%)
Sagittarius is adventurous and always seeking new experiences. A feather charm symbolizes freedom, luck, and spiritual guidance, ensuring a smooth journey ahead.
🔮 Why it works: Feathers represent travel, wisdom, and divine protection, keeping Sagittarius safe and inspired.
♑ Capricorn (December 22 – January 19) – Lucky Coin (Luck: 88%)
Capricorns are ambitious and hardworking. Carrying a lucky coin attracts wealth, success, and stability in their professional and personal lives.
🔮 Why it works: A coin is a universal symbol of prosperity and financial growth, aligning with Capricorn’s disciplined nature.
♒ Aquarius (January 20 – February 18) – Blue Pendant (Luck: 82%)
Aquarius is innovative and intuitive. A blue pendant enhances their creativity, wisdom, and ability to make good decisions.
🔮 Why it works: Blue represents clarity and intelligence, helping Aquarius navigate daily encounters with ease.
♓ Pisces (February 19 – March 20) – Seashell or Pearl (Luck: 90%)
Pisces is deeply connected to the ocean, and a seashell or pearl provides emotional calmness, inspiration, and protection.
🔮 Why it works: Water elements soothe Pisces’ sensitive soul, keeping them in tune with their intuition and creativity.
Carrying a small lucky item that resonates with your zodiac sign can subtly influence your day in positive ways. While luck is never guaranteed, these items serve as symbols of encouragement, motivation, and protection.