State investigators have charged a North Charleston mother with homicide by child abuse after her 11-month-old daughter starved to death in June.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) charged Janette Elizabeth Clayton, 27, on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center, where she was already being held on related charges, according to The Post and Courier. The 9th Circuit Solicitor's Office will prosecute the case, SLED said.
Clayton's daughter, Nomai Weathers, was found cold and not breathing at an apartment in the 2200 block of Eleanor Drive on June 17, the newspaper first reported. North Charleston police initially charged Clayton with three counts of unlawful conduct toward a child.
An autopsy found the cause of death was starvation with acute bronchopneumonia due to neglect. The Charleston County Coroner's Office ruled the death a homicide on Aug. 3.
The infant's condition
The baby was emaciated, weighing about 4 pounds, 13 ounces at the time of her death, according to the arrest warrant affidavit cited by WLTX. Nomai, who was born prematurely, weighed about 3 ounces less than she did at birth, The Post and Courier reported.
SLED indicated that Nomai suffered from sickle cell disease and had not received treatment for it, according to the arrest warrant. The affidavit states Clayton did not take the child to required medical appointments. The homicide charge covers the period from July 12, 2025, to June 17, 2026, and carries 20 years to life in prison, according to the warrant.
Conditions inside the home
Police and paramedics arrived at the Eleanor Drive apartment shortly before 1:30 p.m. on June 17 after a 911 call reported a baby was cold and not breathing. Firefighters were already trying to save Nomai, who was found partially wrapped in a blanket near the front doorway, according to police.
Officers reported a severe insect infestation throughout the home, including cockroaches and flies. A search found no food or child-care supplies, according to police. Clayton told officers Nomai had been eating baby formula, but detectives found only one bottle and no additional formula cans, The Post and Courier reported.
Seven people reportedly lived in the home. Two adults and three children shared one full-size mattress, according to the arrest affidavit. Clayton's 3-year-old and 4-year-old children were present when emergency crews arrived.
Former officer charged
The case also led to criminal charges against former North Charleston police officer Seth Richard Worrell. He was fired July 8 and charged with misconduct in office and failure to report child abuse or neglect, according to CountOn2.
Worrell responded to calls at the Eleanor Drive apartment on May 27 and June 15, according to SLED. On both occasions, he was told about the baby's malnourished condition but did not report the allegations, the arrest warrant affidavit states. South Carolina law requires law enforcement officers to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Failure to report is a misdemeanor.
North Charleston Police Department spokesman Harve Jacobs confirmed no incident report was created for the June 15 call, The Post and Courier reported. A second officer who had responded to the home was placed on administrative leave but was later reinstated after an internal review found the officer followed department standards.
Worrell had worked for four different New York-based police departments before joining the North Charleston force in 2024, The Post and Courier reported.
Clayton is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Homicide by child abuse carries 20 years to life in prison. Anyone with information about the case can contact SLED or the North Charleston Police Department.
