Parents arrested after coroner rules their infant’s death as a homicide, authorities say

PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. (WHNS/Gray News) - Authorities in South Carolina say the parents of a 2-month-old child who died earlier this week are facing charges.

According to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to a residence just after 1 a.m. Thursday.

The sheriff’s office said first responders found an unresponsive infant at the scene. They rendered aid to the girl, but she did not survive.

Multiple agencies, including the Pickens County coroner’s office, began investigating the child’s death.

The coroner said the infant suffered blunt force trauma and ruled her death a homicide.

Joshua Kyle Smith and Courtney Finch Smith were taken into custody and charged with homicide by child abuse. Deputies said they were booked into the Pickens County Detention Center.

Pickens County authorities said their investigation is ongoing.