Locklynn Rose McGuire died after being mauled by a dog she was left in a room with for a 'substantial period of time' as her parents are now facing upgraded murder charges
21:50, 10 Dec 2025
A two-year-old girl was savaged to death by a dog which authorities described as "dangerous" and "malnourished", as she was left in the room the with the animal for a "substantial period of time" before she was found dead.
Initially parents Darci Lambert, 24, and Jorden McGuire, 34, were charged with second-degree murder. However on December 8 the Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office announced that these have now been upgraded to charges of first-degree murder.
Authorities have said that the change in the charges that Lambert and McGuire are facing came after they reviewed the "horrendous details of the case." Investigators have claimed that there was also evidence that the same dog had attacked the child on previous occasions.
Officers from Oklahoma City police arrived at the family home on November 18 while responding to a report of a child not breathing. When they entered the house the officers discovered the body of the girl with "horrific injuries", which were thought to be the result of an attack by an animal.
Oklahoma City Police Staff Sgt. Dillon Quirk has previously told PEOPLE that officers working on the case “learned that the child was left in that room with the animal for a substantial period of time before she was discovered deceased." Adding that "ultimately a murder arrest came from that investigation".
Loved ones identified the child as Locklynn Rose, who was just two years old. Loved ones also paid tribute to Locklynn in a GoFundMe started to help raise funds to cover expenses after her death.
It said: "Locklynn was pure light. She was curious, gentle, and full of joy - the kind of little girl whose smile could brighten even the hardest day. She loved deeply and was deeply loved. Losing her in such a heartbreaking and unexpected way has left our entire family shattered."
Now, authorities investigating the horrific case are alleging that Lambert and McGuire were aware of the danger that the dog posed to Locklynn. The district attorney's office has claimed that they "maliciously failed to protect their child and permitted her to remain in the presence of a dangerous, malnourished dog, fully aware of the serious risk of harm."
When they were at the scene officers also found four dogs, of which it is alleged that three were malnourished. The dogs were removed by Oklahoma City Animal Welfare, along with two Bearded Dragons.
Both Lambert and McGuire are currently in police custody, and have been given a bond of $1 million (£747k). If they are convicted on the charge of first degree murder they could face a life sentence.