SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. – A babysitter from Boiling Springs is accused child abuse after an infant was hospitalized with head trauma.
Katie Wheeler Harris, 32, is charged with abuse inflicting great bodily injury on a child.
The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were called to the hospital last week after a 3-month-old girl was brought in with injuries including bilateral subdural hematomas and retinal hemorrhages. Medical staff told authorities the injuries were non-accidental.
During the investigation, officials say Harris admitted to investigators that she originally lied about how the baby was injured.
She was taken into custody Monday.
Harris’ attorney Robert Ianuario released this statement to 7 On Your Side Tuesday after she was released on bond from Spartanburg County Detention Center.
“At this time only one version of events is known to the public, based upon a set of incomplete but sensational facts. My client is steadfast that she is not guilty as charged, which we will bring to light in due course. I wish to remind the public that Mrs. Harris is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, not a court of public opinion. We ask that everyone join in praying for this child and her family, and we also ask that you respect the privacy of my client and her own family during this difficult time.”
A GoFundMe page created to help support the parents of the infant who remains in pediatric ICU at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center has already raised more than $13,000 in nine hours.
