SUMTER, SC – A mother and father face charges in the death of their newborn child.
Officers were called to a Moorehead Place apartment on July 31 after a woman said she had delivered a baby a few months prematurely about two days earlier. The infant, she said, was unresponsive at the time of its birth.
The father, who was not at home at the time of the birth, was notified by the mother about the circumstances and later returned to the apartment.
However, neither parent sought medical attention or notified first responders at that time.
Autopsy results released Thursday show the newborn was full term at birth and remained alive for some time without receiving aid.
Melissa Nicole Bautch, 21, of the residence, is charged with homicide by child neglect. Brandon Sean Hostetler, 21, also of the residence, is charged with unlawful neglect.
Both were booked Thursday night at the local detention center.
An investigation is continuing.
Sumter Police Department
News by Breaking911
