BAKERSFIELD – A 68-year-old Calif. City man was arraigned June 30th in Bakersfield Superior Court on several charges and ordered held without bail.

  Kenneth Dobbins, who was arrested on June 25th in Lancaster, was originally set to appear in court for an arraignment on June 29th but refused to attend, he was forced by the court to attend the next day.

    According to the Kern County Sheriff’s Inmate Information website, Dobbins is charged with 1st Degree Murder, Allowing Vicious Animal at Large, Allowing Vicious Animal at Large/Injury and Involuntary Manslaughter and is being held without bail.

  The Kern County District Attorney’s Office posted a community advisory on Facebook July 1st stating that the information that has been reported by KGET 17 news and other news outlets nationwide is incorrect, “On June 29th, the Kern County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Dobbins that include Second Degree Murder, Involuntary Manslaughter, Failure to Control Mischievous Animals Resulting in Death and Failure to Control Mischievous Animals Resulting in Bodily Injury” the advisory said.

  The advisory also stated that due to this being a pending case, they are limited in the information they can publicly discuss however, given the significant public interest and national media attention, it’s important to ensure the community receives accurate information. “We remain committed to seeking justice for the victims and will provide additional information when it is appropriate to do so” the advisory said.

  Dobbins is accused of allowing his dogs inside Central Park on the evening of June 18th where they attacked a group of children near the lake, one of the children identified as 12-year-old Fernando Torres Moreno jumped into the lake to avoid the dogs and disappeared. He was later found by CCPD officers who responded and attempted life-saving measures while awaiting the Kern County Fire Department and Hall Ambulance.

  Moreno and another seriously injured child were then transported to the hospital; later, the 12-year-old was transported to Children’s Hospital where he passed away in the early morning hours of June 19th.

  The court website shows that a Pre-Preliminary Hearing is scheduled for July 14th and a Preliminary Examination is scheduled for July 15th.