A South Carolina family faces decades in prison following their conviction for the abuse, neglect, and murder of their severely disabled sister and daughter.
On April 11, 2022, Heather Baynard, aged 14, passed away at Spartanburg Medical Center.
On the following day, authorities carried out a search warrant at the Baynard home located on Camp Ferry Road in Gaffney, a quaint town recognized as the “Peach Capital of South Carolina” and the seat of Cherokee County. A subsequent search is set to take place.
The Baynard residence was in a dismal condition. Law enforcement noted a strong presence of urine and feces in the area.
In the warrants, Heather was described as being in a delicate medical condition. Relatives report that she had cerebral palsy.
Authorities reported that she was held in “appalling conditions, specifically cluttered with trash, swarming with roaches, and stained with animal urine and feces, including the crib where [she] resided.”
In a trial that spanned four days and concluded this week, 7th Circuit Solicitor Barry J. Barnette informed jurors that the animal waste caused significant damage to Heather’s skin and other tissues, as reported by Spartanburg’s CBS affiliate WSPA.
The prosecutor vividly described Heather’s body as displaying “extreme signs of disintegration.”
A witness at the hospital where the girl passed away reported that her legs looked like raw meat, according to the prosecutor.
In May 2022, Heather’s parents, David Baynard, 55, and Bobbie Jo Baynard, 44, faced charges related to her death. Subsequently, the girl’s sibling, Edward Vincent Baynard, 22, faced charges for her murder, along with offenses concerning the state of the residence.
A registered respite nurse and certified personal care assistant, who was responsible for caring for his sister, faces charges including child abuse, neglect of a child or helpless person by a legal custodian, and three counts of ill-treatment or torture of animals.
Over 40 animals were saved from a home after an inquiry into the girl’s passing conducted by the South Carolina Enforcement Division. Among the animals discovered, one was found lifeless. Two puppies were put down because of their condition.
Reports indicate that all other animals present were reportedly discovered in a state of severe malnutrition, dehydration, and infested with fleas and worms. Furthermore, two additional dogs were claimed to be beyond recovery, according to a veterinarian, leading to the decision for euthanasia. The tragic passing of the three dogs has been linked to the supposed negligence of Edward Baynard.
Heather needed daily medical attention because of her condition. Fowler informed the jurors that it was evident her needs had been overlooked for more than a year.
On Thursday, the jury delivered a verdict of guilt against the girl’s mother, father, and brother for charges including murder, unlawful conduct towards a child, and infliction of great bodily injury upon a child.
The parents received life sentences for murder, along with 20 years for causing great bodily injury to a child, and an additional 10 years for unlawful neglect of a child. A man received a 30-year prison sentence for murder, along with 20 years for causing great bodily injury to a child, and an additional 10 years for unlawful neglect of a child.
In every case, the sentences were evaluated to follow one after the other.