GAFFNEY, SC (FOX Carolina) – Three family members charged in a girl’s death are set to go on trial Monday.

Heather Baynard, 14, was mentally disabled due to medical conditions and died of neglect in the spring of 2022. Officials said she spent months living in “filthy conditions.”

Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler called it “the absolute worst case of child neglect” he has ever seen. seen in his career.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office investigated Heather’s home, which the sheriff described as “deplorable”. He said the house was full of feces, urine, flies, worms and cockroaches.

FOX Carolina has learned that the Department of Social Services took Heather into emergency custody twice before her death, but her condition eventually worsened while living at the home.

Heather’s aunts, Rebekah and Jessica Melton, have since filed a wrongful death lawsuit against several state agencies that claim they could have taken action to save Heather.

Heather’s parents, David and Bobbie Jo Baynard, and brother, Edward Baynard, are charged in her death. Charges include murder and child abuse.

SLED said the three were responsible for Heather’s care and Edward was to act as a certified personal care assistant.

FOX Carolina will be in the courtroom to bring you the first alert as the trial begins for this family.

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