South Carolina woman accused in death of baby left in hot car released from jail on bond

WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — A Williamsburg County woman who had custody of a baby who died last week after being left alone in a hot car has been released from jail on bond, authorities said.

Armina Lavette Seal-Middleton, 52, of Salters, who was arrested on Aug. 26 and charged with homicide by child abuse in the death of 4-month-old Xy’mere Bishop Miller, posted a $25,000 personal-recognizance bond and was released on Saturday.

Kingstree police responded to Dollar General to assist Williamsburg County EMS with a call involving an unresponsive infant who was found in a car that wasn’t running. Williamsburg County Coroner Ivori Henryhand said the baby died at MUSC Health Black River Medical Center after being taken there with a temperature of 107 degrees.

At a court hearing on Wednesday, the baby’s grandfather said they had been trying for nearly two months to get custody of the boy. Seal-Middleton is not related to the boy but was awarded custody after he was taken from his mother after he was born.

The baby’s mother had requested Seal-Middleton to be the person to take care of him. Miller’s parents are from Charleston, South Carolina.

Seal-Middleton’s sister said during Wednesday’s hearing that Armina is in poor health and that Xy’mere should not have been in her care.