Injured Toddler Dies, Guardian Charged

 POSTED: 9:56 pm EST January 3, 2009 UPDATED: 11:08 am EST January 5, 2009

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The guardian of a toddler who was brought in for treatment of extensive injuries on New Year's Eve has been charged after the child died Friday.

The Greenville County Sheriff's Office has charged Lavonda Maxwell, 29, with unlawful neglect of a child which carries a potential sentence of 10 years.

Maxwell was the 29-month-old Samauri Mayes' legal guardian. Mayes had been taken away from her parents in Oct. 2007 because of their addiction to marijuana. The Department of Social Services (DSS) gave legal guardianship to Maxwell -- cousin of the child's parents.

"It's like a dream," said Eric Mayes, the child's father. "A bad dream."

Shawona Watts, the child's mother, said the two had trusted Maxwell.

"I really trusted my cousin," Watts said. "I really did. I had faith she was home taking care of my baby, but I don't think she's in this by herself. I really don't."

Mayes was brought to Greenville Memorial Hospital on Wednesday with unspecified "extensive injuries" after being found unresponsive at a home on Dixie Circle. Mayes died on Friday.

Maxwell was unable to explain how the toddler received the injuries.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be forthcoming.

Maxwell had two other children in her custody when Mayes was taken to the hospital. Both have been taken into Emergency Protective Custody and are now in the custody of DSS.

Maxwell is being held in the Greenville county detention center under no bond.