State and local officials in South Georgia are investigating a tragic mauling involving a pack of dogs that left a woman dead and sent her three children to the hospital just days before Mother's Day.

Deputies from the Brooks County Sheriff’s Office discovered 35-year-old Courtney Williams deceased in the yard of a home in Quitman, a small city near the Florida-Georgia state line, approximately 55 miles northwest of Tallahassee.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation reported that the attack occurred late last week in the family's driveway as the children were walking home from school, although the breeds of the dogs involved have not been disclosed.

At around 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, deputies responded to a report of multiple minors being attacked by dogs. When they arrived, they encountered several aggressive dogs on the property. It was determined that an individual had already taken several minors to a local hospital.

Deputies also located Williams’ body in the yard of the home. The ages and specific injuries of the children have not been released.

Williams' sister-in-law, Crystal Cox, told USA TODAY that the dogs belonged to a neighbor living behind the home where Williams lived with her husband and three children. According to Cox, about a dozen dogs attacked Williams' three children—a 10-year-old girl, a 12-year-old boy, and a 14-year-old boy—after they got off the school bus. The 12-year-old boy pushed his sister out of harm's way, and Williams rushed out to help, while the 14-year-old ran for assistance and flagged down a passerby.

The passerby intervened and helped fend off the dogs, saving the children's lives, but Williams did not survive. "No one was able to get to her because of the dogs," Cox said. "We are just glad the kids didn't see her."

The 12-year-old boy suffered serious injuries, while his siblings were not physically injured. "He was hurt pretty bad," Cox wrote on Facebook. "They stapled him up. He is in pain and at my house resting."

Cox described her sister-in-law as an amazing mother who always put her family first. "They had a Jacksonville beach trip planned before all this happened," Cox said. "She loved going there with them."

The case remains under investigation, and an autopsy will be performed by the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office to determine Williams' cause and manner of death. It is unclear whether any of the dogs involved were euthanized.

This tragic incident has left the community in shock and mourning. Neighbors and friends of the Williams family expressed their grief and disbelief, highlighting the need for better control and management of aggressive animals to prevent future tragedies. As the investigation continues, the family is asking for privacy during this difficult time.

Community leaders and animal control officials are now discussing potential measures to prevent such attacks in the future. There is a growing call for stricter regulations regarding the ownership and management of potentially dangerous dogs. Many are advocating for mandatory fencing, stricter leash laws, and regular inspections to ensure that pets are kept in secure environments.

In the wake of this tragedy, local support services are offering counseling and assistance to the affected families. Community members have set up a fund to help with medical expenses and support the Williams family as they cope with their loss. The community’s response underscores the need for unity and proactive measures to protect residents and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.