Theresa Marie Ward

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Obituary- Ward, Theresa 2

Playful dog kills girl
A 6-year-old Silver Lake girl who was found dead in the snow in her backyard Saturday apparently was strangled by the family dog when it playfully tugged at the scarf wrapped around her neck.

The girl was identified as Theresa Ward, the daughter of Robert and Mary Ward.

Shawnee County sheriff’s detective Rick Hladky, who investigated the death, said Theresa and the family dog, a 70-pound golden retriever, were seen playing in the snow. Minutes later a witness saw the dog dragging the girl by the scarf around the yard.

An autopsy Saturday night determined that the girl died when all respiration was cut off. Dr. Hugh Moore, Shawnee County coroner, said a scarf had been wrapped around the girl’s neck and tightened to the point that it cut off her air supply.

Family members discovered the girl’s body in the backyard after they realized they hadn’t seen her for 15 minutes. The girl had been playing in the snow and was wearing warm clothing, witnesses at the scene said.

Medevac MidAmerica spokesman Steve Miller said the ambulance service was called at 4:46 p.m. and arrived at 4:57 p.m. Medevac also requested the Silver Lake Fire Department, and fire department medics were the first officials at the residence. Theresa had been carried into the house by her father by the time firefighters arrived.

Firefighters performed cardio-pulmonary resuscitation until Medevac arrived and then the ambulance crew administered stimulants and warmed the girl, but couldn’t get a response, one of the crew said. At the hospital, medical workers discovered bruises around her neck.

Parker-Price Mortuary is in charge of funeral arrangements.

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