Horry Co. woman charged after breastfed baby dies due to ethanol

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — An Horry County woman was arrested and charged after police said an infant died from ethanol.

Jaclyn Katie Brunette is charged with abuse and unlawfully placing a child at risk or harm.

An officer with Horry County Police Dept. responded to a home on Goldenrod Circle near Little River on May 28, 2023. The responding officer was told the three-month-old was dead, according to the incident report.

TOP STORY: Report reveals new details after missing woman allegedly killed in North Myrtle Beach

The report stated Brunette woke up around 6 a.m. and realized the baby was unresponsive and went over to the crib, which was at the end of her bed. She and another person inside the home reportedly attempted CPR.

Brunette told police the baby was lying on his back in the crib and was not ill. The baby did not have any medical history or concerns, however, Brunette said she had a tough pregnancy.

Arrest warrants said the baby was solely breastfed and died from the toxic effects of ethanol. The baby's BAC level was 0.133, according to warrants.

Brunette was arrested on March 13 of this year and released later the same day on a $2,500 bond for each charge.