Parents arrested after baby partially eaten by rat in South Carolina, deputies say

ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) — A six-month-old girl remains in the hospital after deputies said a field rat started to eat the child in her cradle.

According to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to a home on D and M Drive early Friday morning.

Officials said the mother called 911 after finding blood covering the infant and her bassinet. Bite marks, deputies said, were on the child’s arms, the back of her head, ears and face.

The child was taken to Greenville Memorial Hospital for her injuries; her condition is unknown at this time.

After investigators interviewed the parents, they learned that the baby’s twin brother had bite marks on his feet.

The parents said the rats have been an ongoing issue in their home for the last few months, but still continued to let their children live in the home.

Deputies charged 24-year-old parents Akayla Bearden and Justin Bearden with two counts of unlawful conduct toward a child.

The Beardens’ three children are now in the custody of the Department of Social Services.

The case remains under investigation. Stay up to date with 7NEWS on the air and online as more information is made available.