The Charleston County coroner ruled on Aug. 3 that 11‑month‑old Nomai Weathers, found June 17 in North Charleston, died of starvation and that her death is a homicide. Her mother, Janette Elizabeth Clayton, was arrested the day Nomai was discovered and faces three counts of unlawful conduct toward a child. Investigators found the apartment severely infested and lacking basic child‑care supplies; Nomai weighed only 4.8 pounds—far below normal for her age. Local and state agencies continue to investigate, and an officer who previously responded to calls at the unit has been fired and charged for failing to report neglect.
Coroner Rules North Charleston Infant’s June Death A Homicide; Starvation Cited
PROVIDED
The Charleston County Coroner's Office on Aug. 3 ruled the June 17 death of 11‑month‑old Nomai Weathers a homicide, concluding the infant died of starvation due to neglect.
Authorities found Nomai unresponsive at a residence in the 2200 block of Eleanor Drive. Firefighters were attempting resuscitation when police arrived shortly before 1:30 p.m.; the baby, wrapped in a blanket on the front doorstep, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigation And Charges
Investigators arrested 27‑year‑old Janette Elizabeth Clayton the same afternoon. Clayton is charged with three counts of unlawful conduct toward a child and remained in custody at the Charleston County jail without having posted a combined $100,000 bond, court records show. Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said the probe remains active and declined to comment on whether additional charges will be filed after the coroner’s determination.
Conditions At The Home
Court documents and the arrest affidavit describe the Eleanor Drive apartment as unsanitary and "severely infested with insects," including infestation in the refrigerator. Detectives found only a single baby bottle and no cans of formula or other typical child‑care supplies. Seven people reportedly lived in the studio‑style unit; two adults and three children had been sharing a single full‑size mattress, the affidavit states.
Child’s Condition And Health Context
Coroner Bobbi Jo O'Neal said Nomai weighed about 4.8 pounds at the time of death—approximately three ounces less than her recorded birth weight—far below the roughly 19‑pound average for an 11‑month‑old girl. "The death of any child is a profound tragedy, but the death of a child due to starvation is especially heartbreaking because it represents a preventable loss of life," O'Neal wrote.
Medical records and the affidavit indicate Nomai had been diagnosed with sickle cell disease, an inherited blood disorder that typically shows symptoms in infancy. While treatments can mitigate symptoms—such as pain control, hydration and transfusions—the disease requires ongoing medical care.
Prior Calls And Police Response
Dispatch logs show the apartment complex has generated nearly 50 service calls since June 2021 for issues including domestic disturbances, nuisance complaints and trespassing. Court records say North Charleston police previously responded to the unit on multiple occasions. Two prior responses allegedly involved reports that Nomai appeared malnourished.
Officer Seth Worrell, who reportedly responded to earlier calls, is accused of failing to report allegations of child malnourishment as a state‑mandated reporter. Worrell and another officer were placed on administrative leave after Nomai's death. The second officer has since been reinstated; Worrell was fired on July 8 following an internal review and now faces one count of misconduct in office and one count of failing to report child abuse or neglect. Those criminal cases are pending.
Agencies Involved
The Department of Social Services and the State Law Enforcement Division are assisting the North Charleston Police Department with the ongoing investigation. Court records do not disclose where Clayton's two surviving young children are currently residing.
Note: This is an active investigation. Statements from prosecutors and law enforcement may change as new evidence emerges.
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