Horry County police search for infant after mother lost baby in rushing Socastee creek

Horry County police and rescue teams searched for a 5-month-old infant Tuesday after the baby’s mother lost the baby in a rushing Socastee creek, officials said.

Officers were called about 10:30 a.m. after a resident of Shem Creek Circle in Socastee found a drenched woman sitting on her porch, and the woman told the resident she put her baby in a creek behind the resident’s home, Lt. Raul Denis said early Tuesday. Officers later determined that the woman, Sarah Lane Toney, 33, of Myrtle Beach ultimately lost her baby in the rushing creek after an incident at a residence nearby. Officials didn’t give details about the circumstances that occurred at a residence on Simms Drive.

“We’ve mobilized with the fire department and DNR [South Carolina Department of Natural Resources]. Our K-9 tracking team is here along with our beach patrol officers all in effort to find the baby,” Denis said.

The search for “Baby Grace” was suspended at dark but is expected to resume early Wednesday, Denis said.

Rescue teams scoured the creek to the Intracoastal Waterway to find the child, and Horry County Fire Rescue, along with other agencies are all assisting in the search, police said.

“We’ve got Jet Skis, canoes, and boats from here to the waterway trying to find the baby, but the currents are strong and the water is really muddied up from all the rain,” Denis said.

Police canvassed the neighborhood, following up on every tip and had every available detective on the scene, Denis said.

The mother was taken to Conway Medical Center for staff to evaluate.

Toney was arrested on an outstanding warrant unrelated to this incident and is being detained at the Horry County Detention Center, Denis said.

No charges have been filed related to the missing baby, as it is too early in the ongoing investigation for authorities to know what’s warranted.

“We have to assume the worst so we’re acting on the side of caution, so hopefully we’ll find the baby in good condition,” Denis said.

“It’s sad. It’s very, very sad,” April White, Socastee resident said as her eyes teared up and her voice shook. “She could have brought that baby here.”

White is the neighbor of the mother who police have in custody and said she would see the woman leave periodically with the baby.

“For this to happen, it’s unbelievable. You just don’t believe it,” White said.

Bradley Nelson of Shem Creek Circle lives next door to the home where the mother was found and let rescue workers pass through his property during their search while he visited with his mother and 4-year-old son.

“I hope there’s a good ending to this story,” he said of the search. “I hope it turns out to be a positive outcome and nothing bad comes from it, especially right in your own backyard. It’s scary to think that could happen.”

Lori Nelson, Bradley’s mother, said she hoped for the best possible outcome as well.

“It saddens me. I hate to think that an innocent child went into that water,” she said.

Anyone with information can call the HCPD Tip Line at 843-915-8477.

This story was originally published November 3, 2015 at 12:29 PM with the headline "Horry County police search for infant after mother lost baby in rushing Socastee creek."