Topline: The baby sustained a massive brain bleed and multiple skull fractures, which are believed to be consistent with trauma.
Published: February 7, 2025 8:00 am ET
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Shirley Sawyer (via Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office)
LAKE CHARLES, LA – A Louisiana woman is in jail after police say she murdered an infant she was babysitting.
According to a news release issued on Tuesday, deputies with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a local hospital in reference to an unresponsive three-month-old around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22.
During the initial investigation, detectives learned the baby sustained a massive brain bleed and multiple skull fractures, which are believed to be consistent with trauma.
The baby was airlifted to a hospital out of town where he later died from his injuries.
During further investigation, detectives learned the baby was left in the custody of Shirley L. Sawyer, 40, Lake Charles, for approximately three hours that day. The mother advised when she arrived at Sawyer’s residence, she believed the baby to be asleep, but a short time later discovered the child was limp and unresponsive, at which time she immediately transported the baby to the hospital.
After further investigation, on February 3, detectives issued a warrant for Sawyer’s arrest. She was located earlier this afternoon and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with first-degree murder.
Her bond was set at $2.5 million.
The investigation is ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Babysitter Accused of Murdering Three-Month-Old Baby in Louisiana
The baby sustained a massive brain bleed and multiple skull fractures, which are believed to be consistent with trauma.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 7, 2025 8:00 am ET
Shirley Sawyer (via Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office)
LAKE CHARLES, LA – A Louisiana woman is in jail after police say she murdered an infant she was babysitting.
According to a news release issued on Tuesday, deputies with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a local hospital in reference to an unresponsive three-month-old around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22.
During the initial investigation, detectives learned the baby sustained a massive brain bleed and multiple skull fractures, which are believed to be consistent with trauma.
The baby was airlifted to a hospital out of town where he later died from his injuries.
During further investigation, detectives learned the baby was left in the custody of Shirley L. Sawyer, 40, Lake Charles, for approximately three hours that day. The mother advised when she arrived at Sawyer’s residence, she believed the baby to be asleep, but a short time later discovered the child was limp and unresponsive, at which time she immediately transported the baby to the hospital.
After further investigation, on February 3, detectives issued a warrant for Sawyer’s arrest. She was located earlier this afternoon and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with first-degree murder.
Her bond was set at $2.5 million.
The investigation is ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Babysitter Accused of Murdering Three-Month-Old Baby in Louisiana
The baby sustained a massive brain bleed and multiple skull fractures, which are believed to be consistent with trauma.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 7, 2025 8:00 am ET
Shirley Sawyer (via Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office)
LAKE CHARLES, LA – A Louisiana woman is in jail after police say she murdered an infant she was babysitting.
According to a news release issued on Tuesday, deputies with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a local hospital in reference to an unresponsive three-month-old around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22.
During the initial investigation, detectives learned the baby sustained a massive brain bleed and multiple skull fractures, which are believed to be consistent with trauma.
The baby was airlifted to a hospital out of town where he later died from his injuries.
During further investigation, detectives learned the baby was left in the custody of Shirley L. Sawyer, 40, Lake Charles, for approximately three hours that day. The mother advised when she arrived at Sawyer’s residence, she believed the baby to be asleep, but a short time later discovered the child was limp and unresponsive, at which time she immediately transported the baby to the hospital.
After further investigation, on February 3, detectives issued a warrant for Sawyer’s arrest. She was located earlier this afternoon and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with first-degree murder.
Her bond was set at $2.5 million.
The investigation is ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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