Nationwide — A 2-month-old baby’s parents and grandparents from Brunswick County, North Carolina, have been arrested and charged after the child died in February. Authorities say all four face charges linked to neglect and unsafe conditions that led to the child’s death.
Police identified the parents as Chloe Marnell and Jayhlen Washington. Both are charged with involuntary manslaughter and negligent child abuse. Investigators say the couple used cocaine while caring for the infant, co-slept with him, and left him in a cold home without heat.
The grandparents, Eddie Hollingsworth and Danika Holloway, face negligent child abuse charges. Court records show they also allowed the baby to remain in the freezing home, adding to the unsafe living conditions.
According to WLBT, all four were arrested on September 19. Arrest warrants describe a pattern of neglect that placed the infant at serious risk. The baby was found wrapped in a blanket and left in conditions that investigators called unsafe.
Marnell is being held on an $80,000 secured bond, while Washington faces a $100,000 secured bond. Hollingsworth and Holloway are each held on $40,000 bonds.
The baby’s official cause of death has not been released. Authorities have not said if additional charges are expected.