# Mother faces upgraded charges after emaciated 11-month-old found dead

> South Carolina mother charged with homicide after infant found emaciated in filthy apartment.
- Title: Mother faces upgraded charges after emaciated 11-month-old…
- Summary: South Carolina mother charged with homicide after infant found emaciated in filthy apartment.
- Keywords: child neglect, homicide, south carolina, north charleston, janette clayton, 11-month-old, 4 pounds, child abuse, Law & Crime
- Source: Law & Crime — https://lawandcrime.com/crime/mother-facing-upgraded-charges-after-emaciated-11-month-old-weighing-just-over-4-pounds-found-dead-in-filthy-apartment-authorities-say
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: child neglect, homicide, south carolina, north charleston, janette clayton, 11-month-old, 4 pounds, child abuse, crime, news
## Child found dead
An 11-month-old child was discovered dead in a filthy apartment in North Charleston, South Carolina.
## Initial charges
Janette Clayton, 27, was initially charged with three counts of unlawful conduct toward a child.
## Child's condition
The child was found emaciated and weighed approximately 4 pounds 13 ounces.
## Discovery details
Police found the child partially wrapped in a blanket near the front doorway at 1:30 p.m. on June 17.
## Living conditions
The apartment was infested with cockroaches and flies and lacked necessary food and child-care supplies.
## Medical examiner report
The autopsy revealed the child died from starvation with acute bronchopneumonia due to neglect.
## Current charges
Clayton now faces homicide by child abuse charges after the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division upgraded the case.
## Arrest details
Clayton was arrested on lesser initial charges and detained at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center.
## Child's medical history
The child was born prematurely in July 2025 and diagnosed with sickle cell disease requiring medical appointments.
## Child's medical neglect
Clayton allegedly did not take the child to any medical appointments despite the diagnosis.
## Investigation findings
Police found no food or child-care supplies in the apartment and severe insect infestations throughout.
## Case status
The case will be prosecuted by the 9th Circuit Solicitor's Office with no trial date set.
## Child's cause of death
The child died from starvation with acute bronchopneumonia due to neglect, according to the medical examiner.
## Current status
Clayton remains detained at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center in Charleston County.
## Key takeaway

Janette Clayton, 27, faces homicide by child abuse charges after 11-month-old child was found dead weighing just over 4 pounds in North Charleston, South Carolina.