3 sentenced in Cherokee Co. murder of teen with disabilities
Nov 04, 2024
GAFFNEY, S.C. (WSPA) -- A mother, father and son were sentenced to prison for the 2022 murder of their special needs daughter.
The four day trial concluded Thursday, with closing arguments and a jury returning a guilty verdict.
Photos show the conditions that the child lived in at Camp Ferry Road home.
Photo of home conditions shown in court during the trial. Warning: Photo may be upsetting to some. Click to see uncensored photo.
David and Bobbie Jo Barnard were found guilty of murder, felony child abuse and unlawful neglect of child, after their daughter, Heather Baynard, died at Spartanburg Medical Center on April 11, 2022.
Heather was brought into the hospital unresponsive. Barry J. Barnette, 7th Circuit Solicitor, described the teen's skin as cold and gray.
The Baynard's 21-year-old son, Edward Vincent Baynard, was also found guilty murder, felony child abuse and unlawful neglect of child.
According to 7th Circuit Solicitor Barry J. Barnette, Edward Baynard was employed by Axcess Home Core as Heather's personal care aid for the last 18 months of her life.
Cherokee County coroner Dennis Fowler said Heather had health conditions that needed daily medical care, which likely had been ignored for more than year.
Barnette said that the urine and feces that Heather was living in broke down her skin and tissues. He added that a witness at the hospital said Heather's legs looked like raw meat.
Deputies searched the Baynard's home on April 12, 2022.
A second search led officials to more than 40 animals that were living in the home, one of which was dead. Two puppies had to be euthanized due to their condition.
“In the home, the dogs contributed to the deplorable conditions. A lot of feces in the home, both from the cats and the dogs; urine, which created a huge ammonia-type smell,” said Sheriff Mueller.
Many of the animals, deputies said, added to the unfit living conditions -- contributing to Heather's death.
Photo of home conditions shown in court during the trial. Warning: Photo may be upsetting to some. Click to see uncensored photo.
Both Bobbie Jo and David Baynard were sentenced to life in prison for murder, 20 years for great bodily injury upon child and 10 years for unlawful neglect of a child.
The couple's sentences will be served consecutively, Barnette said.
Edward Baynard was sentenced to 30 years in prison for murder, 20 years for great bodily injury upon child and 10 years for unlawful neglect of a child. The sentences will be served consecutively.
Barry J. Barnette, the 7th Circuit Solicitor, described Heather's body as showing "extreme signs of disintegration," when she was brought to the hospital.
Cherokee County Sheriff Steve Mueller called it one of the worst cases of neglect his office had ever seen in the county.