‘Careless and negligent’: Mother charged with death of 10-month-old daughter
CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC/Gray News) - A mother was charged with the death of her 10-month-old daughter, Aminah.
Authorities were called to a house in May following reports of an unresponsive infant.
Sara Shakeri-Taylor, 39, was at home with Aminah’s father, Sandy Sharron Gathers, 41, who was arrested that day.
According to affidavits, detectives said Gathers told them that he came home from work and found Shakeri-Taylor sleeping and the baby lying on her stomach at the foot of the bed, unresponsive.
Deputies performed lifesaving measures on the baby until firefighters and emergency crews arrived.
Aminah was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.
The autopsy revealed no obvious injuries or cause of death for the baby, but a toxicology exam showed the baby had a large amount of fentanyl in her system.
Aminah’s death was ruled a fentanyl overdose.
Deputies collected evidence from the scene including baby bottles, formula, a pacifier and a $1 bill with a powdery substance.
Affidavits said all items tested positive for fentanyl.
“As a parent, it shakes me to my core to see people be so careless and negligent with their children. This mother made a terrible decision, and she is where she belongs,” Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano said. “The people of Charleston County should be advised that my deputies work hard to get people like this off the street.”
Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal said the Aminah’s death was preventable.
“She is the victim of a failed system, a fentanyl epidemic and unimaginable neglect by those who were responsible for her care. Aminah will not be forgotten as we seek justice for her and do all we can to prevent this from happening to other children in our community,” she said.
As detectives were investigating this death, they said they found evidence of dogfighting, including tethered and caged pit bulls and pictures and video evidence of the crimes, leading to additional charges.
The couple was allegedly running their dogfighting operation under the guise of an unlicensed kennel.
Shakeri-Taylor was arrested and charged with homicide by child abuse, three counts of conspiracy, three counts of animal fighting or baiting and one count of ill-treatment of animals.
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