An 11-month-old girl weighed just 4 pounds when she died. Now, her mom is facing charges

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC/Gray News) - A South Carolina mother is facing charges after her 11-month-old daughter was found dead and emaciated in an insect-infested apartment.

Janette Clayton, 27, has been charged with homicide by child abuse after her 11-month-old daughter, Nomai Weathers, was found dead in June at an insect-infested apartment in North Charleston.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, which is leading the case, made the announcement about the new charge Friday. Clayton was initially charged with three counts of unlawful conduct toward a child.

Documents show Nomai was born prematurely and diagnosed with sickle cell disease, which required medically necessary appointments. Clayton allegedly failed to take her daughter to these appointments.

Nomai was found dead June 17 near the front doorway of her family’s apartment, partially wrapped in a blanket. She was emaciated, weighing only 4 pounds, 13 ounces.

The apartment was reportedly in “deplorable” conditions, infested with cockroaches and flies. Officials say no food or child care supplies were found.

An autopsy revealed Nomai’s cause of death to be starvation with acute bronchopneumonia due to neglect. The manner of her death was ruled a homicide.

The case also led to two North Charleston Police Department officers, who had previously responded to the apartment, being placed on leave. One was later fired and charged, while the other was reinstated.