Manning mother charged with homicide by child abuse

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MANNING — A 21-year-old Manning woman was arrested Thursday on charges of murder/homicide by child abuse by agents with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, according to documents released Friday by SLED.

The arrest warrant issued in Clarendon County on June 17 states that on June 10, Rondasha Steward allegedly “found her 4-month-old son face down and unresponsive in his crib and did not seek medical attention.” Steward left the residence without the child and failed to notify anyone about his death. Family members found the child about an hour later.

According to the warrant, Steward is the custodial parent of the child and is responsible for the child’s welfare. She reportedly failed to seek medical attention for the child after finding him unresponsive, which according to the warrant ultimately led to the child’s death.

If Steward is found guilty of killing her baby, she faces jail time ranging from 20 years to life.

Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office asked SLED to handle the investigation into the baby’s death.

Steward was booked at the Clarendon County Detention Center, where she awaits a bond hearing before a circuit judge.

The case against Steward will be handled by the office of Third Circuit Court Solicitor Ernest A. “Chip” Finney Jr.