LAKE CHARLES,— A Lake Charles woman has been charged with murder in connection with the death of a 3-month-old baby under her care, according to authorities.
Shirley L. Sawyer, 40, of Lake Charles, faces one count of first-degree murder following an incident last month.
Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a local hospital on Jan. 22 in response to an unresponsive 3-month-old.
According to detectives, the baby suffered a massive brain bleed and multiple skull fractures, which are thought to be caused by trauma.
The baby was airlifted to a hospital outside of town, where he later died.
According to investigators, Sawyer had custody of the baby for about three hours on that particular day.
The baby’s mother stated that when she arrived at Sawyer’s home, she thought the baby was sleeping.
She later discovered the child was limp and unresponsive, so she immediately took him to the hospital.
Detectives obtained a warrant for Sawyer’s arrest on Monday.
She was found this afternoon and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center. Sawyer’s bond was set at $2.5 million.
