South Carolina Parents Charged After ‘Large Rat’ Bites Infant, Deputies Say
BELTON, S.C. — A disturbing case of alleged child neglect has led to criminal charges for two parents in Anderson County, after authorities say a “large rat” began eating their 6-month-old baby girl while she was in her bassinet.
Akayla and Justin Bearden, both 24, have been charged with two counts of unlawful conduct toward a child, according to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded to the couple’s home in Belton on Friday morning, following a frantic 911 call from the mother reporting that her infant daughter was covered in blood. When authorities arrived, they were met with a gruesome scene: the infant was bleeding and covered in rat bites, with visible injuries to her arms, the back of her head, ears, and face. Blood was also found soaked into her bassinet.
The baby girl was rushed to Greenville Memorial Hospital, where she remains under medical care and observation. Authorities said she will be hospitalized for several days due to the extent of her injuries.
During the investigation, deputies discovered the baby girl has a twin brother, who also sustained bite wounds on his feet. A third child in the household was found unharmed.
According to investigators, the Beardens admitted to an ongoing rat infestation in the home, describing a recurring issue with field rats over the last several months. Despite the known danger, they continued to allow their young children to live in the hazardous environment.
As a result of the findings, all three children have been placed into the custody of the Department of Social Services (DSS). The case remains under active investigation, and further charges are possible as authorities assess the full scope of neglect.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office has not released further details on the conditions of the home but emphasized the seriousness of the situation.
“This is a heartbreaking and preventable situation,” a sheriff’s spokesperson said. “No child should be subjected to such danger in their own home.”
Anyone with additional information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.
No responses yet