A 27-year-old North Charleston woman is charged with homicide by child abuse in the death of her 11-month-old baby, who state investigators say died of starvation.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division charged Janette Elizabeth Clayton on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center, where she was already being held by North Charleston police.
What investigators say happened
On June 17, North Charleston police and paramedics found the baby unresponsive inside an apartment off Eleanor Drive. The child was pronounced dead.
Officials said the baby died of starvation and acute bronchopneumonia and weighed only about 4 pounds at the time of death.
According to a SLED warrant, the baby had been born prematurely and was diagnosed with sickle cell disease, which meant regular medical appointments were needed. Investigators allege that Clayton didn’t take the child to those appointments, and that she abused or neglected the baby between July 2025 and June 2026.
The warrant also describes the apartment as unsafe, with no food or supplies for caring for a child.
Clayton also faces three counts of unlawful conduct toward a child. Information about bond was not available.
Why SLED took over
The North Charleston Police Department asked SLED to handle the investigation because of concerns about the initial investigation and whether it followed department policy. Officials have not said what those concerns were.
The charges are accusations, and Clayton is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Report child abuse
If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected in South Carolina, call the S.C. Department of Social Services at 1-888-227-3487 or call 911 in an emergency.
Source: South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, as reported by WCBD
