Infant Identity Released, Babysitter Charged With Homicide
Carmen Flores Bautista/ASGDC
RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO) – A woman that who was arrested after allegedly violently assaulting a eight-month-old baby she was caring for charges have been upgraded to homicide by child abuse.
Carmen Flores Bautista, 38, was arrested Wednesday morning after deputies with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department responded to Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital in reference to a case of child abuse.
Richland County Coronor, Gary Watts said eight-month-old Leah Martinez Tapia, died Friday at 5:30 p.m. An autopsy indicated that her cause of death was due to blunt force trauma to her head.
Deputies said on Tuesday, at a residence located in the 600 block of Kentucky Street, Bautista violently shook Tapia causing extensive brain injuries to the eight-month-old girl.
If you see, hear, or know of any child who may be enduring such pain and suffering please contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at 803-576-3102 or call CRIMESTOPPERS at 888-CRIME-SC (888-274-6372). Text to CRIMES (274637), and mark the beginning of the message with “TIPSC,” followed by the tip information or go to: www.midlandscrimestoppers.com, and click on the “Submit a tip” tab.
