Evil parents left disabled girl to die in her own filth in sickening child neglect case

WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: David and Bobbie Jo Barnard, and their son Edward were found guilty of murder after it emerged that Heather Baynard, 15, was living in horrific conditions before her death

Two evil parents and their 21-year-old son left their disabled daughter to die in her own excrement in a sickening case of child neglect that left authorities shocked.

David and Bobbie Jo Barnard and their son Edward Vincent Baynard were convicted on Thursday after being found guilty of murder over the death of 15-year-old Heather Baynard, who suffered from cerebral palsy. Heather tragically died at Spartanburg Medical Centre in South Carolina on April 11, 2022, after being brought into the hospital unresponsive.

Barry J. Barnette, 7th Circuit Solicitor, said the teen's skin was cold and grey. Details of the horrific abuse Heather suffered and the conditions she lived in at the Camp Ferry Road home in Spartanburg County emerged during the four-day trial.

Mr Barnette said the girl's brother, Edward, as employed by Axcess Home Core as her personal care aid for the last 18 months of her life. But Cherokee County coroner Dennis Fowler said even though the teen's health conditions needed daily medical care, they had likely been ignored for more than a year, FOX8 reported.

Detailing the conditions Heather was living in, Mr Barnette said the urine and faeces she was left in had broken down her skin and tissues, adding that a witness at the hospital said her legs looked like raw meat. Officers initially searched the home on April 12, 2022.

During a second search, they found more than 40 animals living in the home, one of which was dead. According to FOX8, two puppies had to be euthanised due to their condition. Cherokee County Sheriff Steve Mueller said: "In the home, the dogs contributed to the deplorable conditions. A lot of faeces in the home, both from the cats and the dogs; urine, which created a huge ammonia-type smell."

The sheriff said the cases was one of the worst child neglect abuse incidents his office had ever seen in the county. In court, Heather's parents were both sentenced to life in prison for murder. In addition, they were also sentenced to 20 years for great bodily injury upon a child and 10 years for unlawful neglect of a child.

Their son Edward was sentenced to 30 years in prison for murder, 20 years for great bodily injury upon a child and 10 years for unlawful neglect of a child. All their sentences will be served consecutively, the judge said.

Heather's obituary says she was known as "The Princess, Feather, Wee Anne, or Kudzu Girl." The obituary adds that she "deeply touched all who came into her path" and she loved music, especially Mikey Mason and Disney Jr.

It also says that she "adored her Daddy and brother as well as her 'people' aka anyone that took the time to talk to her." It continues: "Heather loved to travel and be in the hustle of things. A 2016 Grin Kid as well as a 2018 Make A Wish recipient, Heather got to visit both Disney World and Disneyland."