A woman from Williamsburg County, South Carolina, who was responsible for a baby that died after being left in a hot car, has been released from jail on bond, officials stated.
Armina Lavette Seal-Middleton, aged 52 and residing in Salters, was detained on August 26 and charged with child abuse resulting in the death of 4-month-old Xy’mere Bishop Miller. She posted a $25,000 personal-recognizance bond and was released Saturday.
The Kingstree police were called to assist Williamsburg County EMS at a Dollar General where an unresponsive infant was discovered inside a non-running vehicle. The baby, who was taken to MUSC Health Black River Medical Center, was pronounced dead with a body temperature of 107 degrees, according to Williamsburg County Coroner Ivori Henryhand.
During a court session on Wednesday, the baby’s grandfather revealed that they had been attempting for almost two months to gain custody of the child. Seal-Middleton, who is not related to the infant, was granted custody after the baby was removed from his mother at birth.
The baby’s mother had requested Seal-Middleton to be the person to take care of him. Miller’s parents are from Charleston, South Carolina.
Seal-Middleton’s sister said during Wednesday’s hearing that Armina is in poor health and that Xy’mere should not have been in her care.
