The Tullahoma Police Department has arrested three individuals on charges in a dog mauling case that killed a man and his three-month-old granddaughter. 

According to a statement from TPD, Zaccahae Smith, Sylvia Smith, and Tilesia Baugh were arrested and taken into custody for the attack.

Back in December, the Coffee County Communications Center received a call at approximately 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, regarding the “apparent mauling by pitbulls” of James Alexander Smith, 50, and an infant later identified as Smith’s three-month-old granddaughter at 905 E. Warren Street. When law enforcement arrived at the scene, they observed the dogs were mauling the infant. The dogs were killed to stop the attack; however, Smith and the infant were already dead. The other dogs at the scene were taken by animal control. No other family members were home at the time of the attack.

In a statement later issued by District Attorney General Craig Northcott, after further investigation, investigators found the home was not fit for human habitation and condemned it. At the time, there were at least four adults and seven children residing in the home, including the deceased infant and Smith. The home was later condemned and destroyed, where it is in the process of being restored to a clean and safe residential lot, according to the Tullahoma Department of Planning, Codes and Life Safety.

“Following the thorough investigation by the Tullahoma Police Department, led by Inv. Jessica Taylor, the surviving adults were indicted by the Coffee County Grand Jury for their criminal offenses related to this situation for the children that were in their legal custody and care,” Northcott said in his statement.

Zaccahae Tiana Meshelle Smith, 27, later identified as the mother of the infant, was charged with second-degree murder, a Class A felony, and child abuse, a Class B felony. Sylvia Ann Smith, 70, the infant’s great-grandmother, was charged with three counts of child abuse and neglect as Class A misdemeanors. Tilesia Nicoue Baugh, 33, the infant’s aunt, was charged with two counts of child abuse and neglect, and one count of aggravated child abuse and neglect as Class A misdemeanors.

Police department officials said the arrests were the result of an ongoing investigation by the Tullahoma Police Department in cooperation with the Coffee County District Attorney’s Office. All are scheduled to appear in Coffee County Circuit Court on September 25, 2026, for arraignment on their charges.