Cocaine found in 4-month-old's feeding bottles after child's death; teen parents charged

A teenage couple has been charged in the death of their 4-month-old baby after authorities found cocaine in the victim’s body and feeding bottles, a South Carolina sheriff said this week. Brady Wearn, 18, and Mary Bedenbaugh, 17, were arrested Wednesday and charged with homicide by child abuse and unlawful conduct toward a child. The charges follow a nearly two-month investigation into the baby’s May 2 death.

Cops were called to the suspects’ home in the small town of Prosperity, S.C., that day for a report of an infant unresponsive and not breathing, according to the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office. The child, whose name and gender have not been released, was pronounced dead at a hospital that same day.

Toxicology reports later showed that the baby had “measurable levels” of cocaine in the body, authorities said. Further tests yielded amounts of cocaine in the victim’s feeding bottles, suggesting the suspects may have intentionally drugged their own child, according to a news release. A forensic pathologist determined that the infant died of homicide “associated with recent cocaine ingestion.”

Wearn and Bedenbaugh were also tested for drugs and were found to have cocaine, fentanyl and marijuana in their bodies, authorities said. The young parents were denied bond in a court appearance Thursday, jail records show. They are being held at the Newberry County Detention Center. If convicted, each could face 20 years to life in prison.

https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-prosperity-south-carolina-parents-charged-infant-dies-cocaine-ingestion-20210625-6wthr7obqngndl63wjes4jiuym-story.html