Guardian Charged In Death Of 2-Year-Old

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- A woman awarded custody of a Greenville County toddler a year ago has been charged in connection with the 2-year-old girl's death on Friday.

The child, Samauri Mayes, was taken off life support on Friday after being admitted with head injuries on Wednesday.

Lavonda Danellia Maxwell was charged on Saturday with unlawful neglect in connection with the child’s death.

Investigators said that Maxwell was charged because she was the legal guardian and had custody of Samauri at the time of the injuries.

She is being held without bond at the Greenville County Detention Center.

Deputies said that Maxwell was unable to explain how the child was injured.

Samauri Mayes' mother said she is still in shock after saying goodbye to her daughter.

"To watch them take that ventilator off my baby and feel the last beat of her heart ... whew," said Shawona Watts.

Watts had lost custody of Samauri and her other children because of a drug charge. Maxwell was awarded legal and physical custody of Samauri.

Samauri's parents were allowed to visit her twice a month. Watts claimed that Samauri was often injured when she and the child’s father visited.

"Every visit we had with the kids, Samauri had numerous bruises, numerous burns, weight loss, she lost her hair, she stopped talking," Watts said.

The girl's parents said they repeatedly reported the suspected abuse to the Department of Social Services.

A DSS representative said she couldn't comment specifically about the case, but said the agency "will conduct an internal investigation and work with law enforcement."

"This is an unfortunate circumstance," the representative said.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges could still be filed, investigators said.

Investigators said that Maxwell had two other children in her custody at the time Samauri was taken to Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Those children were taken into protective custody by DSS.

An investigation into the child’s death is continuing. Investigators said it could take a week to determine exactly how she died.