Deputies killed an aggressive dog guarding the child, but investigators have not determined whether that animal caused her fatal injuries.
GRAHAM, WA — A 5-year-old Spanaway girl was found dead Thursday evening outside a home in Graham after her grandmother reported her missing, and investigators are working to determine whether her injuries were caused by a dog or another animal.
The girl and her grandmother were visiting a family friend at a rural property in the 30200 block of 92nd Avenue East when the child disappeared for several minutes, according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were called at about 6:11 p.m. Aug. 13 after the grandmother became concerned that the girl might have wandered into the surrounding wooded area.
Deputies began searching the property and found the girl within minutes. Detective Josh Mills of the sheriff’s office said she was visibly injured and had wounds consistent with an attack by a large animal. Investigators, however, said no one witnessed or heard an attack, leaving the exact circumstances of her death unclear.
As deputies tried to reach the girl, a large and aggressive dog stood between them and the child and would not allow them to approach, authorities said. Deputies shot and killed the dog so they could reach the girl and attempt to provide aid. They then determined that she was already dead.
The dog belonged to the homeowner, a family friend whom the girl and her grandmother were visiting, according to investigators. Authorities said the child had been around the dog on previous occasions without a reported problem. The sheriff’s office also found no documented history of aggressive behavior involving the animal.
Investigators have cautioned against concluding that the dog killed the girl merely because it was found near her. Mills said the rural area contains wildlife and authorities have not ruled out the possibility that another animal was involved. Investigators also are considering whether something could have happened to the child before she suffered the injuries found at the scene.
The Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office is responsible for determining the girl’s official cause and manner of death. Investigators also collected evidence from the scene for forensic testing, while the dead dog was being examined as part of the investigation. Authorities said those findings could help establish what animal, if any, caused the child’s injuries.
The child’s name had not been publicly released in the reports reviewed. The sheriff’s office said there had been no arrests or criminal charges as of its latest public statements, and investigators were continuing to examine the evidence surrounding the girl’s death.
As of Monday, authorities had not publicly announced a final medical examiner determination establishing what caused the child’s death. The investigation remains open while officials await medical and forensic findings that could clarify what happened at the Graham property.
Author note: Last updated August 17, 2026.