SC babysitter accused of physically abusing 4-month-old, breaking ribs and arm
A Little River babysitter has been charged with abusing a 4-month-old who was in her care, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
Shonta Maria Gore Bellamy, 45, was charged Oct. 3 by SLED with abuse/inflicting great bodily harm on a child.
According to an arrest warrant, Gore Bellamy babysat the child from Feb. 5 to April 10, 2024. On April 10, after the child was picked up from Gore Bellamy’s residence, the child had visible injuries to his face that were not there that morning when he was dropped off. Gore Bellamy was the sole caretaker on that day, the warrant said.
The child was taken to multiple hospitals and his injuries were determined to be consistent with physical abuse, specifically abusive head trauma caused by multiple episodes of shaking, the warrant said. The child’s injuries included bruising around the eyes, healing arm fracture, bruising in various intensities and healing rib fractures.
Horry County Police asked SLED to investigate the case after it was believed there may “be some form of connection/relationship between a prior member of the agency” and Gore Bellamy, according to a text from police spokesperson Mikayla Moskov.
Bellamy was booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center and released after posting a $10,000 bond.
This story was originally published October 7, 2024 at 4:26 PM.
