Columbia mother charged after infant dies while sleeping on couch cushion

Columbia police have charged a woman after she allegedly placed her baby on a couch cushion to sleep and the child died because of the unsafe sleeping environment, officials said.

Officials said 32-year-old Lashinda Danelle Watson, of Howell Avenue, has been charged with unlawful neglect of a child in connection with the death of her 3-month-old son.

Last month, Watson allegedly put her son on a couch cushion to sleep, officials said. When Watson’s older son reportedly told his mother that the baby wasn’t breathing, Watson allegedly ignored the warnings. Officials said the baby was later taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Officials said further investigation revealed there was a proper crib in Watson’s home at the time of the child’s death. Watson’s other children were removed from the home and taken into emergency protective custody. The S.C. Department of Social Services is assisting with the case.

Harrison Cahill

This story was originally published August 27, 2015 at 10:21 AM with the headline "Columbia mother charged after infant dies while sleeping on couch cushion."