Two women who were supposed to be taking care of a 3-year-old girl are now charged with her death, according to the Florence County Sheriff's Office.
Florence County's coroner, Bubba Matthews, says Tylashia Grant was already dead when a relative brought her to the emergency room Tuesday with burns on her body. And though he's not sure if that's what caused her death, doctors called police.
Investigators determined Tylashia was abused at her family's home on Badger Lane in Florence County. Neighbors wondered what was going on when they saw all the commotion at the house. "I came out my front door cause I heard the sirens and seen the lights, and all I saw was a lot of officers everywhere and I was kind of concerned," said Lee Oneal.
Deputies arrested Jeraldine Brockington, the child's great aunt, and Kesia Grant, the child's cousin. Both were taking care of the child, according to deputies. They're both charged with homicide by child abuse.
Capt. Mike Nunn, with the Florence County Sheriff's Office says additional charges against the women are possible.
Neighbors say they didn't have much contact with the family but often saw Tylashia getting off the school bus and walking home by herself. They say they often wondered why someone wasn't there to meet the little girl.
The young life cut short has touched the hearts of so many, including investigators working the case. "These cases are particularly heartbreaking, and our investigators do a very special job with work and it touches us all," Nunn said.
The women are expected to appear in court Thursday morning for a bond hearing. Investigators haven't released any information on the child's biological mother.
