By Joe Johnson
A Barrow County teen who was mauled by a pair of pit bulls last week underwent another round of surgery on Tuesday in an attempt to repair catastrophic damaged caused by the dogs, a family member said.
Joslyn Stinchcomb, 15, was walking in her Winder neighborhood off of Bowman Mill Road NE Friday afternoon when a neighbor's dogs chased and viciously attacked her, biting all over the girl’s head, neck and body, and ripping off her scalp and an ear.
A Barrow County sheriff's deputy who arrived while the attack was still in progress shot one of the dogs, which ran away wounded. Both dogs were later captured and put down.
The dog's owner, 29-year-old Alexandria Torregrossa, was arrested upon returning to her home after the attack was over.
"The reason she was charged with reckless conduct was it was determined the dogs were not properly secured and ran out the back door of the house and viciously attacked the victim," Smith said.
Stinchcomb was flown to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta where she underwent emergency surgeries and has remained on a ventilator in the intensive care unit since.
The girl's aunt, Charity Stinchcomb Montgomery, who has been the family's, spokesperson, posted on Facebook Tuesday morning that Joslyn was again taken into surgery.
“Please pray for her and the teams of doctors!!!” Montgomery posted.
The woman explained to Classic City News that doctors were attempting to repair her niece’s badly damaged trachea and vocal cords, as well as severe nerve damage to her face.
Doctors were also to perform vacuum-assisted closure therapy that is used to treat complex head wounds.
Montgomery said the spirits of her still-reeling family were lifted Monday evening when a crowd of well-wishers showed up for a prayer meeting outside of her parents’ house.
“I am so blessed at all that showed up and for those that prayed where they were,” Montgomery said.
The girl who was a rising freshman at Winder-Barrow High School, where she was looking forward to playing the flute with the marching band, faces a long road of healing and recovery.
On Sunday, doctors discovered that Joslyn had a blood clot in her jugular vein that may need treatment.
“There is still so much that we don’t know about her injuries, but we know that God knows and that can heal her,” Montgomery said.
The woman said that after the surgeries are completed, Joslyn will still face extensive therapy and rehab.
Anyone wanting to donate to help pay for Joslyn's medical expenses may do so at https://paypal.me/pools/c/8rm0RZItmD