A North Charleston, South Carolina woman faces multiple charges after authorities discovered her 11-month-old infant dead inside an apartment plagued by severe neglect. Janette Clayton, 27, was arrested and charged with three counts of unlawful conduct toward a child following the incident on the 2200 block of Eleanor Drive.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene just before 1:30 p.m. Firefighters were already at the location attempting to revive the baby.
According to a statement from the North Charleston Police Department, “When they arrived, North Charleston firefighters were performing lifesaving measures on the infant, who was found partially wrapped in a blanket near the front doorway.” EMS workers pronounced the child dead shortly after.
Clayton was waiting outside the residence with her two other children and the deceased infant’s paternal grandmother when police officers arrived. An initial protective sweep of the home raised immediate red flags for investigators, who noted “a lack of items necessary for child care” and determined the infant had been subjected to “unsafe living conditions.”
A subsequent search warrant revealed deeper issues inside the home. Police reported finding absolutely no food or basic provisions for children. “Authorities also observed a severe insect infestation throughout the residence, including in the refrigerator and drawers,” the department stated. The official cause of the infant’s death has not yet been released.
The case has also triggered an internal crisis within the North Charleston Police Department. Two police officers have been placed on administrative leave after officials realized the pair had previously visited the exact same apartment prior to the child’s death.
Because of those previous interactions, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has been called in to review the local department’s handling of the situation. “We have requested SLED’s assistance due to concerns about the initial investigation and how it conforms with our department policy,” police officials said in a follow-up press release.
North Charleston Police Lieutenant Anthony J. King emphasized the department’s stance to local media, stating, “NCPD is committed to maintaining the highest standards of conduct and accountability.”
Clayton was booked into the Al Cannon Detention Center following her arrest, though jail records indicated she was no longer listed as an inmate by Friday. Local police noted that further details regarding the investigation into the officers’ actions will remain unavailable until SLED completes its independent review.
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