Florida Sheriff Describes Baby Crime Scene Photos as Horrific

November 5, 2009 by Cathy Ribble  
Filed under: News

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When five-month-old Chauntasia Gardner was found dead by police on Sunday, she only weighed six pounds.  That weight is less than half of the normal weight for an infant that age. Her parents starved Chauntasia to death.

The parents, 25-year old Tivasha Logan and 27-year-old Chauncey Gardner, are charged with murder and aggravated child abuse.  They are being held without bond.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd told reporters, “I don’t think you can imagine what EMS crews and deputies saw Sunday morning.” He described crime scene photos of the baby as “horrific.”

Evidence of the child’s malnutrition was overwhelming.  Her tiny body was emaciated with bones protruding.  A single can of Enfamil baby formula was found in the home with only a tiny amount of formula remaining in the can.

The mother reported to authorities that Chauntasia was fed two ounces of baby formula every three to three and one-half hours.  Logan said she mixed one-half ounce of formula with one and one-half ounces of water.  She went on to say she mixed it that way because Gardner told her that was the instructions on the can.  She said she had never read the directions herself.

Logan admitted that she had noticed the baby was losing weight at least two weeks ago and that she should have taken the baby to the hospital.  She didn’t do that though because she thought she would get in trouble.

Five other children lived in the home, and they have been taken into custody by authorities.  Investigators are puzzled because the other children appeared healthy.  There was plenty of food in the cupboards, except for infant formula.

“This just rips your heart out.  This was a thriving baby girl who is now dead.”  Sheriff Judd said he had never seen anything like it.

The parents did not understand why they were being charged.  According to the Arrest Affidavit, the family received SSI benefits, food stamps and WIC.  The mother told authorities that she had tried to make a doctor’s appointment for the baby several times, but had difficulty locating a doctor who would accept the Medicaid payment.

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