News Summary
A 6-month-old girl in Belton, South Carolina, was attacked by a field rat, prompting the arrest of her parents on charges of unlawful conduct towards a child. The infant was found injured in her bassinet, and her twin brother was also discovered with bite marks. The family had been struggling with a rat infestation, raising concerns about the children’s living conditions. The authorities have taken custody of the children to ensure their safety, as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding this horrifying incident.
Belton, South Carolina – A serious incident involving a 6-month-old girl being attacked by a field rat has led to the arrest of her parents in Anderson County. The event unfolded early Friday morning in a home located on D and M Drive in Belton, where the baby’s mother discovered her child covered in blood in her bassinet.
The infant sustained multiple bite marks on her arms, ears, back of the head, and face. Following the discovery, the baby was promptly transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital for urgent medical treatment and is currently recuperating under medical care but is expected to remain hospitalized for several days.
As investigations progressed, it became clear that the baby has a twin brother who was also found with bite marks on his feet, raising concerns regarding the living conditions of the children. The parents, 24-year-old Akayla Bearden and Justin Bearden, have since been arrested and now face two counts of unlawful conduct towards a child.
Authorities uncovered that the Bearden family had been grappling with a significant field rat problem in their single-wide home for several months. Despite being aware of this dangerous situation, the parents allowed their vulnerable children to continue living in the premises, which led to this horrifying incident.
In light of these events, all three children, including the twins, have been placed under the custody of the Department of Social Services (DSS) to ensure their safety and well-being. The state of the home environment, alongside the health of the children, has raised substantial concerns from the authorities.
The parents are set to appear for a bond hearing on Tuesday at 7 a.m. as the case continues to be investigated by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. Law enforcement is determined to address any underlying issues related to the welfare of the children following this disturbing situation.
The incident highlights the potential dangers that can arise from neglecting home safety and health issues, particularly in households with young children. Ensuring a safe environment for children is paramount, as they are particularly vulnerable to harm from pests such as rats, which can transmit diseases and cause physical injuries.
The case draws attention to the responsibility of parents in providing a secure and healthy living environment for their children and the critical role of social services in safeguarding the welfare of minors involved in such distressing circumstances.
As investigations loom, the community is left in shock, seeking answers on how such a preventable situation could occur. Moving forward, local authorities are likely to increase awareness about home safety as well as the protocols for reporting hazardous living conditions, particularly for families with small children.
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HERE Resources
Greenville Police Arrest Suspect After Gas Station Robbery
Additional Resources
- WYFF 4 News
- Wikipedia: Child Neglect
- Fox Carolina News
- Google Search: Child Safety
- KPLCTV News
- Google Scholar: Home Environment Safety Children
- WSPA News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Rodent Infestation
- News Channel 9
- Google News: Anderson County Child Protection
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
