Mother of missing baby faces unlawful conduct charges

While rescue workers continue to search for a five-month-old baby in Socastee creek, Horry County Police said Wednesday they would initially charge the mother with unlawful conduct towards a child.

Sarah Lane Toney, 33, is already behind bars at the Horry County Detention Center for unrelated charges. Horry County Police spokesman Lt. Raul Denis said the new warrant will be served later today, followed by a bond hearing. Denis declined to specify the conduct with which Toney will be charged.

Rainy weather conditions flooded all the water areas police were searching Tuesday morning when the investigation first began, but the rain has let up Wednesday and the water has receded so workers hope to find the baby soon, Denis said.

The search initially started about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday when officers were called after a resident of Shem Creek Circle in Socastee found a drenched woman sitting on her porch, and the woman told the resident she put her baby in a creek behind the resident’s home, Lt. Raul Denis said early Tuesday. Officers later determined that the woman, Sarah Lane Toney, 33, of Myrtle Beach ultimately lost her baby in the rushing creek after an incident at a residence nearby. Officials didn’t give details about the circumstances that occurred at a residence on Simms Drive.

On Tuesday, rescue teams scoured the creek to the Intracoastal Waterway to find the child, and Horry County Fire Rescue, along with other agencies assisted in the search, police said.

“We’ve got Jet Skis, canoes, and boats from here to the waterway trying to find the baby, but the currents are strong and the water is really muddied up from all the rain,” Denis said.

Police canvassed the neighborhood, following up on every tip and had every available detective on the scene, Denis said.

The mother was taken to Conway Medical Center for staff to evaluate.

Toney was arrested on an outstanding warrant unrelated to this incident and is being detained at the Horry County Detention Center, Denis said.

No charges have been filed related to the missing baby, as it is too early in the ongoing investigation for authorities to know what’s warranted.

“We have to assume the worst so we’re acting on the side of caution, so hopefully we’ll find the baby in good condition,” Denis said.

“It’s sad. It’s very, very sad,” April White, Socastee resident said Tuesday as her eyes teared up and her voice shook. “She could have brought that baby here.”

White is the neighbor of the mother who police have in custody and said she would see the woman leave periodically with the baby.

“For this to happen, it’s unbelievable. You just don’t believe it,” White said.

Bradley Nelson of Shem Creek Circle lives next door to the home where the mother was found and let rescue workers pass through his property during their search while he visited with his mother and 4-year-old son.

“I hope there’s a good ending to this story,” he said Tuesday of the search. “I hope it turns out to be a positive outcome and nothing bad comes from it, especially right in your own backyard. It’s scary to think that could happen.”

Lori Nelson, Bradley’s mother, said she hoped for the best possible outcome as well.

“It saddens me. I hate to think that an innocent child went into that water,” she said.

More information will be released as soon as it is available. Please check back for story updates.

This story was originally published November 4, 2015 at 2:44 PM with the headline "Mother of missing baby faces unlawful conduct charges."