South Carolina authorities have arrested two teens accused of drugging their newborn with cocaine found in feeding bottles.
The 4-month-old died May 2 after he was found unresponsive and not breathing. He was declared dead at the hospital.
Toxicology results yielded considerable amounts of cocaine in the baby’s system and in the feeding bottles. Examination of the parents confirmed their use of cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana.
Newberry County Coroner Laure Kneece said that the case was "very difficult and emotional" since it was about an innocent baby.
"These are very difficult and time-consuming cases that investigators have to sort through, and we have to wait for testing on items, which takes a few weeks. This is exactly why we take drug enforcement so seriously," Sheriff Lee Foster added.
18-year-old Brady Lynden Wearn and 17-year-old Mary Catherine Bedenbaugh were charged with homicide by child abuse and unlawful conduct toward a child.
They are being held at the Newberry County Detention Center after they were denied bond Thursday.
