Romando Dixson

rdixson@greenvillenews.com

A 23-year-old woman was charged with murder in the death of her newborn child, the Anderson County Sheriff's Office said Sunday.

Joanie Faith Holcombe, of Cherokee Circle in Anderson, placed the infant in a plastic bag on Dec. 13, causing asphyxiation, according to an arrest warrant. She was also charged with unauthorized removal of a dead body from where it was found.

On Saturday morning, the Sheriff's Office responded to Lakeshore Drive after receiving a report about an infant discovered in the woods, according to an incident report. A man told a deputy he found the infant near Cherokee Circle and Souix Street, according to the report. The deputy drove to the location and found an infant with injuries to the face, the deputy said in the report.

The placenta and umbilical cord were still attached to the infant, a full-term girl, Chief Deputy Coroner Charlie Boseman said Saturday. Investigators located the child's mother and she admitted to the child's death and impromptu burial, according to the Sheriff's Office. Holcombe moved the body of the infant between Dec. 13 and Saturday, according to an arrest warrant.

Newborn baby found dead in field

Holcombe is being held at the Anderson County Detention Center. Her bond hearing was delayed until Tuesday because of health issues, the Sheriff's Office said.

An autopsy for the infant is scheduled for Monday, the Coroner's Office said.

"I don't know this young mother's exact situation but I do know that others who find themselves with an unwanted newborn have viable options," Anderson County Sheriff John Skipper said in a statement. "One option is guaranteed by the South Carolina Safe Haven Law."

The law says an individual can leave their baby of up to 30 days old with an attendant at any hospital, emergency medical services provider, law enforcement agency, fire station or worship center. For more information on the law, contact the Baby Safe Haven confidential hotline at 888-510-BABY.

Staff writer Anna Lee contributed.