AVON PARK, Fla. — A Highlands County mother and her cousin are facing charges in connection to the death of the mother's infant daughter.
In a post on Facebook, Highlands County deputies said on the morning of May 4, they were called to a home in the area of Lake Avenue and Linden Street in Avon Park regarding an unresponsive 3-month-old baby. She later died at the hospital at 7:25 a.m., officials say.
During the investigation, detectives learned the infant, along with her 2- and 4-year-old siblings, had been removed from the custody of their mother, 28-year-old Sabrina Watson.
According to deputies, the infant and 2-year-old were placed into the custody of Watson's cousin, 49-year-old Gwendolyn Wyche, while the 4-year-old was put into the custody of Watson's parents.
Officials say Watson lost custody of her children due to "her history of drug use and inadequate supervision of the children." A court order says the children can't cohabitate with their mother unless it is a supervised visit.
On the night of May 3, investigators say Wyche dropped off the baby and 2-year-old at Watson's home because she wanted to take her children out skating. The 4-year-old was also at the house during this time, but the sheriff's office did not explain why they were there.
Wyche reportedly said she would return to pick up the baby but did not return.
Investigators say they later learned Watson had smoked some kind of drug and left the children alone in the house at some point in the evening.
Later in the evening, Watson was taking a nap with the infant and another child, before rolling onto the baby, preventing her from breathing and causing her to die, officials say.
Medical examiners determined the 3-month-old girl's cause of death was an "accidental overlay."
While observing Watson's home, the sheriff's office says they found methamphetamine in multiple areas, including in spaces that were easy to reach for children.
They also say the home was "filthy" with uncovered outlets, no running water and windows covered with wood & cardboard.
Watson has been charged with negligent manslaughter of a child, two counts of child neglect, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug equipment. Wyche was charged with child neglect.
Watson's parents, Angeline and William Watson, were also charged with child neglect for allegedly leaving the 4-year-old with their mother.