A child died after being mauled by two dogs belonging to a neighbor in Oregon. The incident occurred on December 5, 2023, when the victim, identified as 6-year-old Loyalty Scott, was dropped off at the home of Koko Miller, 57, by his grandmother.
Scott was dropped off around 6:45 a.m. at Miller’s home. Miller was a longtime family friend and neighbor of Rena Scott, PEOPLE reported, citing a motion filed by prosecutors. Prosecutors said Miller had been with Loyalty every morning that week and had agreed to watch him at her home in Portland before school while his grandmother went to work.
Less than an hour after Loyalty’s arrival that morning, Miller called 911 to report that the boy had been mauled by her two Great Dane/Mastiff mixes.
Miller to serve prison sentence
Miller was sentenced to 26 months in prison after being convicted of criminally negligent homicide, maintaining a dangerous dog, and two counts of first-degree criminal mistreatment. According to a motion cited by PEOPLE, Miller told police she was placing her dog Carlos in his kennel that morning when Loyalty opened the garage door, despite previously being told he was not allowed to open doors in the home.
Miller said Carlos ran through the door and attacked the boy. A second dog joined the attack shortly afterward. She told investigators she was able to pull Lola off the boy and bring her back inside but could not stop Carlos.
Miller also stated that she tried to choke the dog and shoot it but never had a clear shot, then stood by as the attack continued for approximately 20 minutes. Her husband, William Hoover, told police that Carlos “had a tendency to view children as toys” and may have perceived Loyalty as a “toy that runs,” according to the motion, as quoted by PEOPLE.
Prosecutors charged Miller in connection with the attack. On Jan. 23, 2026, Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Celia Howes found her guilty on all charges. She was sentenced on April 24, 2026, receiving the maximum penalty allowed. Both dogs, Carlos and Lola, were euthanized after the attack.
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Scott was dropped off around 6:45 a.m. at Miller’s home. Miller was a longtime family friend and neighbor of Rena Scott, PEOPLE reported, citing a motion filed by prosecutors. Prosecutors said Miller had been with Loyalty every morning that week and had agreed to watch him at her home in Portland before school while his grandmother went to work.
Less than an hour after Loyalty’s arrival that morning, Miller called 911 to report that the boy had been mauled by her two Great Dane/Mastiff mixes.
Miller to serve prison sentence
Miller was sentenced to 26 months in prison after being convicted of criminally negligent homicide, maintaining a dangerous dog, and two counts of first-degree criminal mistreatment. According to a motion cited by PEOPLE, Miller told police she was placing her dog Carlos in his kennel that morning when Loyalty opened the garage door, despite previously being told he was not allowed to open doors in the home.
Miller said Carlos ran through the door and attacked the boy. A second dog joined the attack shortly afterward. She told investigators she was able to pull Lola off the boy and bring her back inside but could not stop Carlos.
Miller also stated that she tried to choke the dog and shoot it but never had a clear shot, then stood by as the attack continued for approximately 20 minutes. Her husband, William Hoover, told police that Carlos “had a tendency to view children as toys” and may have perceived Loyalty as a “toy that runs,” according to the motion, as quoted by PEOPLE.
Prosecutors charged Miller in connection with the attack. On Jan. 23, 2026, Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Celia Howes found her guilty on all charges. She was sentenced on April 24, 2026, receiving the maximum penalty allowed. Both dogs, Carlos and Lola, were euthanized after the attack.
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