A South Carolina mother and her boyfriend have been charged after the death of a 4-month-old baby was determined to be a homicide, according to authorities.
The Richland County Sheriff's Department said a hospital staff reported the infant had been transported to the hospital by emergency medical services and was unresponsive on Sept. 6.
The baby's back, arms, legs, and ears contained bruises and the infant was placed on life support.
Authorities said the baby was pronounced brain dead just two days later.
The mother, Cassandra Clautu, stated that her boyfriend, Philip Coker, was watching the baby.
Coker claimed that he woke up to find the baby unresponsive and called paramedics.
Officials said an autopsy revealed that the 4-month-old had an acute rib fracture, severe brain and eye hemorrhaging, and multiple bruises about the body.
It was discovered that the baby also sustained injuries during an incident days prior.
Clautu did not seek medical treatment for the baby at that time, according to authorities.
From 2009 to 2022, Coker has a record of grand larceny, probation violations, domestic violence, and traffic violations.
She was arrested on Sept. 16 and charged with unlawful conduct toward a child.
Coker was arrested the same day and charged with homicide by child abuse.
Clautu and Coker were booked at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.