Caretaker charged in death of 9-month-old girl

UNION, S.C. (AP) — Union County deputies say a man has been charged with homicide by child abuse after the 9-month-old girl he was babysitting died from injuries suffered in his care.

Investigators said the girl was taken to the hospital last week with bruises on her face and died Friday from a fractured skull.

Authorities say 24-year-old Lashawn Brannon told the baby’s mother she fell out of her bed, but deputies think she was intentionally abused.

Investigators say Brannon has a prior conviction on a child neglect charge.

Brannon is being held in the Union County jail awaiting a bond hearing. It wasn’t clear if he had an attorney.