Mother charged in death of 4-pound infant

A South Carolina mother now faces a homicide charge after authorities determined her infant daughter died from starvation. The case centers on the death of Nomai Weathers, who was found in a deteriorating state within the family's residence in North Charleston.

Janette Clayton, 27, was charged with homicide by child abuse this Friday. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division announced the new count, which supersedes her original three charges of unlawful conduct toward a child. Officials stated that Clayton failed to take the infant to medically necessary appointments.

Nomai was born prematurely and diagnosed with sickle cell disease. When found dead on June 17, the 11-month-old weighed 4 pounds, 13 ounces. Her body was located near the front doorway of the apartment, partially covered by a blanket. An autopsy cited starvation and acute bronchopneumonia due to neglect as the causes of death, ruling the manner of death a homicide.

Investigators described the living conditions as deplorable. The apartment was infested with cockroaches and flies. Authorities noted that no food or child care supplies were present in the unit at the time of the discovery.

The incident also triggered an internal review of police response. Two North Charleston Police Department officers who had previously visited the apartment were placed on leave. One officer was fired and charged, while the other was reinstated to duty.