Mom, legal guardian charged in infant's death at Highlands County home

AVON PARK, Fla. - Two women are facing charges several weeks after the death of a 3-month-old girl, according to the Highlands County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators said the baby was found unresponsive on May 4 at a home on Lake Avenue in Avon Park. The child died at the hospital.

According to HCSO, Sabrina Watson, 28, accidentally rolled on top of the infant while sleeping on a mattress. Watson was the child's mother, but she did not have legal custody of the baby or her other two children, ages 2 and 4.

Booking photos for Sabrina Watson and Gwendolyn Wyche. Courtesy: Highlands County Jail. 

Deputies said Watson's cousin, Gwendolyn Wyche, 49, had legal guardianship of the infant and the 2-year-old, and violated a court order by dropping them off at Watson's home, so she could take her own children skating.

Watson's parents had custody of the 4-year-old, with deputies saying they also violated a court order by leaving the child in Watson's care.

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The investigation showed Watson used drugs while all three children were in the house, which was found to be dirty with boarded-up windows and no running water. Methamphetamine was also found within reach of the older children, HCSO said.

Watson faces charges of manslaughter of a child, child neglect, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug equipment. Wyche, along with Watson's parents, are charged with child neglect.

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