A 12-year-old girl spent 13 days in the hospital and received nutrition through a feeding tube after a pediatrician diagnosed malnutrition, according to Law&Crime. The report says an X-ray showed low bone density and underdeveloped bones. An investigator later assessed the girl as five years behind in her development and 4 feet, 3 inches tall.
Orangeburg County deputies found that the girl weighed 47 pounds, had frail bones and limped because of her condition, according to Live5News. Investigators also found no education records for her after kindergarten, the outlet reported.
The child’s father met with a sheriff’s deputy in Bowman on October 10 to report concerns that she was being neglected, according to Law&Crime. He also said she had an infection in her left hip, the report states.
Chiquitta Dawkins, 43, was arrested and charged with unlawful conduct toward a child. Law&Crime reported that Dawkins, described as a licensed independent social worker of 18 years, was jailed on a $35,000 bond.
