South Carolina couple charged with Homicide by Child Abuse
RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WJBF) – On Friday, February 16th, around approximately 10 p.m., Richland County investigators were contacted by Prisma Children’s Hospital concerning an unresponsive 4-year-old child who was brought in by EMS with severe burn injuries and a fractured femur.
While the child was transported from her home to the hospital, she suffered three cardiac arrests. She was on life support for two days, but ultimately died from her injuries.
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Investigations say that the incident occurred the day before at their residence on Smallwood Drive in Chapin, S.C. while the child was under the care of her biological parents.
The child’s father admitted to submerging the child in scalding water after she soiled her pants and the victim’s mother admitted to being present and aware of the incident.
The child is identified as Hope Fields. There were three additional children in the home when the incident occurred ranging in age of 5 months to 10 years old; they were placed in Emergency Protective Custody.
On Wednesday, February 21st, 34-year-old Wilbur Fields and 32-year-old Fifi Hill-Fields were both arrested and charged with Homicide by Child Abuse and two counts of Neglect. Both suspects are currently housed at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
It’s hard to understand how a parent can abuse their child. As a father of four daughters, child abuse is one of the worst crimes that can be committed and some of the toughest cases for our investigators to work because you never forget the children.
Sheriff Leon Lott, Richland County Sheriff’s Department
Information provided by Richland County Sheriff’s Office (RCSD)
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