A sad case has come to light in South Carolina, where a young boy of four has passed away. The boy’s parents are now facing serious accusations of not providing him with the necessary medical attention.
On a Friday, emergency services rushed to a home in Oconee County after a call came in about a little boy who wasn’t responding. The boy was later identified as Isaiah Joseph Dionne.
According to an official statement, Isaiah appeared to be very underweight and malnourished when he died. Officials noted that he weighed only 21 pounds, his eyes were sunken, and his ribs and bones were easily visible.
The boy’s mother, Destiny Shay Dionne, who is 24, and his stepfather, Joshua Emanuel Lamar Latimer, who is 30, have been arrested. They are accused of causing Isaiah’s death through extreme neglect.
Both were initially charged with Unlawful Conduct Toward a Child. Later, they faced a more serious charge of Homicide by Child Abuse, which could mean a prison sentence of 20 years to life.
Latimer was a member of the South Carolina Highway Patrol. However, he was fired after his arrest became known.
Isaiah is remembered as a happy child whose smile could brighten any room.
If you think a child is being abused, there are resources available to help. You can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453. They are available 24/7 and can provide assistance in many languages.
