Toddler mauled behind clueless parent’s back: ‘There was blood all over’

A mother was completely oblivious to the horror unfolding just a few metres behind her after a coyote snuck up on her daughter.

Terrifying moments unfolded for one family after a little girl was bitten in the face during a coyote attack in California.

A mother and her two children were out on the beach and dipping their toes in the ocean just north of the Huntington Beach pier when the coyote suddenly appeared and attacked the little girl around 9.45pm. She is said to be about two or three years old.

She was taken by ambulance to the hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

“The baby evidently got bit and there was blood all over her face,” a bystander said.

A toddler is mauled by a coyote as her parent stands with her back turned.

Orange County Animal Services and officers with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife searched for the coyote who was spotted running on the beach near the water.

Later in the evening, two coyotes were shot by officials. They were both injured but still managed to run away. One was found dead from its injuries on the beach the following morning.

Officials stand by a coyote that was shot.

Runners told FOX 11’s Gigi Graciette the following morning they have been chased by coyotes in the area. One said she’s seen a coyote lurking around the children’s background and police confirmed there have been reports of numerous recent sightings.

“It’s really not afraid of us at all,” one resident said.

“On several occasions, they’ve just both myself and my wife down the road,” resident Eric Brown added.

Children's play equipment is seen on the beach.

Huntington PD also noted they have a coyote management plan.

The toddler was set to be tested for rabies and will continue to be treated at the hospital.

This article was originally published by Fox News and reproduced with permission