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LONDON - The grandmother of a 5-year-old girl who was mauled to death by the family dog has been charged with her manslaughter, the Crown Prosecution Service said today.
Ellie Lawrenson died from serious head and neck injuries at a house in St Helens, near Liverpool, on New Year's Day.
Her grandmother, Jacqueline Simpson, who suffered injuries to her arms as she tried to wrench the dog away, was also charged with possession of class A drug diamorphine.
Prosecutors said they had charged the girl's uncle Kiel Simpson with possession of a dangerous dog.
The animal, a banned pit-bull type, was destroyed immediately after the attack.
The girl had been staying at her grandmother's house for New Year's Eve.
In a statement issued after the attack, the girl's family said: "Ellie was always ok there we appy and smiling. She was a little angel, full of life and always running around."
- REUTERS