A South Carolina woman is now facing more serious criminal charges following the death of her 11-month-old child, who was discovered lifeless inside a squalid, insect-infested apartment, according to state law enforcement authorities.
Earlier this year, 27-year-old Janette Clayton was charged with three counts of unlawful conduct toward a child in connection with the incident, as confirmed by the North Charleston Police Department in an official press release issued at that time.
Clayton now faces a charge of homicide by child abuse, as outlined in a press release and arrest warrant affidavit released this week by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
The tragic discovery was made on June 17 at approximately 1:30 p.m. at a residential apartment on Eleanor Drive in North Charleston. According to the charging document, the infant was found in an severely malnourished state, “emaciated and weighed approximately 4lb 13oz.”
“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,” the police department stated.
Emergency medical personnel ultimately pronounced the child deceased at the scene. A protective sweep of the apartment, according to police, “revealed a lack of items necessary for child care,” and investigators subsequently concluded that the infant had been subjected to “unsafe living conditions.”
Investigators maintain that the alleged neglect had been occurring well before the child was discovered.
According to SLED, the infant had been born prematurely in July 2025 and was diagnosed with sickle cell disease , a condition that necessitated regular medical attention and consistent follow-up appointments. Clayton, however, allegedly failed to bring the child to a single one of those required medical visits.
The arrest warrant affidavit provided further detail regarding the state of the residence.
“The home was in deplorable condition and infested with cockroaches and flies,” the charging document states. “The home was also devoid of necessary foods for [the child].”
This characterization was consistent with findings reported by law enforcement officers at the scene.
“Investigators later executed a search warrant and reported finding no food or child-care supplies inside the home,” police confirmed. “Authorities also observed a severe insect infestation throughout the residence, including in the refrigerator and drawers.”
Following SLED’s assumption of the investigation, a medical examiner conducted an autopsy, which “revealed [the child’s] cause of death was starvation with acute bronchopneumonia due to neglect,” according to the agency.
At the time of the initial police response, Clayton was found waiting outside the apartment with the deceased child’s paternal grandmother and her two other children, according to reports from Charleston-based CBS affiliate WCSC.
Clayton was taken into custody on the lesser charges earlier this year and has remained detained at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center in Charleston County, as reflected in court records. On Wednesday, SLED formally charged her with homicide. Prosecution of the case has been assigned to the 9th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
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