Lafayette, LA – A Lake Charles woman has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder following the death of a three-month-old baby under her care. Shirley Sawyer, 40, was booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center after being apprehended on February 3. Her bond has been set at $2.5 million.
The investigation began on January 22 when Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputies were called to a local hospital where a baby was admitted in critical condition. Medical personnel determined that the infant had suffered severe trauma, including a massive brain bleed and multiple skull fractures, indicating the child had been subjected to violent force.
According to reports, the baby’s mother left the child in Sawyer’s care for approximately three hours. Upon returning to Sawyer’s home, the mother initially believed the infant was simply asleep. However, upon further inspection, she discovered the child to be limp and unresponsive. The mother quickly rushed the baby to the hospital, and the child was airlifted to another facility, where they later succumbed to their injuries.
Following a thorough investigation, detectives issued a warrant for Sawyer’s arrest on February 3. Sawyer was subsequently located and taken into custody. The investigation is ongoing, with Detective Willie Fontenot of the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office serving as the lead investigator.
The tragic death of the infant has left the community in shock, and authorities are continuing to work on uncovering the full circumstances surrounding the case.