Local Radar

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Felony charges filed on mother of dead infant

web posted June 27, 2006

EDGEFIELD – The autopsy on the infant found wrapped in trash bags and placed under the family home at 502 Frances Street was performed Monday in Newberry, but the results provided few answers. The baby’s mother, Tomecca Tandrell Jackson, 22, has been charged with felony destruction or desecration of human remains. Under South Carolina law (16-17-600) Ms. Jackson, if convicted, "must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both, and must be required to perform not more than five hundred hours of community service," according to the South Carolina statues listed.

According to Sheriff’s Deputy Corporal Robbie Harter the time of death is believed to be early April. Edgefield County Coroner Thurmond Burnett said the decomposition of the remains were well underway due to the time between the death and the discovery making finding the cause of death difficult.

Information obtained through the various agencies involved says Ms. Jackson had the baby in early April while no one was at the home. During the delivery, she claims she blacked out and when she regained consciousness, the baby was not breathing. Fearing no one would believe her she then allegedly placed the baby in the garbage bags and hid them under the house where they remained until her father found them on Saturday.

Being unable to determine whether the infant was alive at birth in the autopsy, the Sheriff’s Office and the Solicitor’s Office charged Ms. Jackson with the felony destruction or desecration of human remains. Ms. Jackson will have a bond hearing by Wednesday.

The family members and friends of Ms. Jackson were not aware of the pregnancy, which is believed to have been full term, according to Coroner Burnett. Mr. Burnett also said toxicology tests are underway by SLED and those results could take weeks to complete.

Cpl. Harter said that further charges against Ms. Jackson could be filed pending the results of the toxicology tests, but declined to comment on what those charges could be. The case is still under investigation. EdgefieldDaily.com will have more updates as more information becomes available.


 

 

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