Susan Murphy-Milano...

MERRILLVILLE, IN -- The parents of a Merrillville boy attacked by a family dog told police they chose to leave the boy alone with their two Rottweilers rather than risk hiring a baby sitter they didn't know, police said Wednesday.

In light of what happened, the parents admit they made a mistake, said Merrillville police Detective John Westmoreland.

"They thought they'd kept him safe. ...They're not bad parents. They just made a bad judgement call," Westmoreland said. "They didn't intend this to happen. They are remorseful. They're torn up," he said.

Bamba Niang, the son of Moussa Niang and stepson of Cathy Paxton, when he was bitten several times by one or both of the family's two Rottweilers, police said.

Bamba is 6-years-old, not 7 as previously reported by police.

Westmoreland, who met Tuesday with the parents, presented his case to the Lake County Prosecutor's office Wednesday.

The prosecutor reviewed the case and took it under advisement pending further review once police have interviewed the boy, Westmoreland said.

Westmoreland said the parents, who have been cooperative, indicate police will be able to speak to the boy sometime next week.

Bamba, who is being treated at the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital, was listed in fair condition Wednesday. Westmoreland said it's his understanding that the boy will most likely remain at the hopital several more days.

His parent's, who recently moved the family to Merrillville from Ohio, couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday.

The detective said police and child-protective services have reviewed the case, including talking with school officials who called Bamba "a bright kid who could have been promoted to first grade because he is already reading at that level."

The boy is a morning kindergarten student at Iddings Elementary School in Merrillville, and there is no history of abuse, police said.

"It was obvious that someone was working with him," Westmoreland said.

Given that information, it's possible the parents will regain custody of the child, he said.

He called the court order from the Lake County Office of the Indiana Department of Child Services giving the department legal custody "routine."

Because it is not known if one or both of the dogs attacked the boy, both have been quarantined at the Merrillville Animal Hospital to see if they are rabid, police said.

Westmoreland said both dogs, the 2-year-old male, Tice, and 6-year-old female, Lady, probably will be destroyed.