WAXHAW, NC -- The death of a 5-year-old girl has a Waxhaw man in prison for two years. Michael Brandon Gordon was sentenced to 20 to 24 months for Involuntary Manslaughter on Tuesday. On the morning of January 12, 2011, Makayla Woodard went out to play in the snow and was attacked by Gordon's two fully grown pit bulls. Suffering injuries to her entire body and a fatal injury to her throat, she was transported to an area hospital where she later died due to her injuries. Nancy Presson, Makayla’s great-grandmother and guardian, rushed to Makayla’s aid and was also severely injured by the dogs. Gordon was not home at the time of the attack. Police say the dogs were not properly restrained and according to witnesses, several people had warned the defendant that the dogs were dangerous.

On May 24, 2012, the trial began in the case of the State v. Michael Brandon Gordon for one count of Involuntary Manslaughter. On May 25, 2012, in the middle of jury selection, Michael Brandon Gordon changed his plea from not guilty to guilty and entered a plea of guilty to one count of Involuntary Manslaughter.