Bessemer City pair charged in death by infection

BESSEMER CITY, NC (AP) — A mother and her boyfriend face
involuntary manslaughter charges after the death of a 2-year-old
Bessemer City girl from an untreated infection.

The Gaston Gazette reported Wednesday that 32-year-old Shanna
Dawn Lanham and 33-year-old Jason Michael Wells were arrested in
the death of Addison Grace Lanham. She died July 21 from sepsis, a
condition sometimes called blood poisoning.

Capt. J.W. Human said an autopsy showed the child’s health was
“grossly neglected” by the pair after she contracted MRSA, a
bacterial infection that led to sepsis.

The child also had an untreated broken leg.

Wells also is charged with babysitting a child as a registered
sex offender.

It was unclear if Wells and Lanham have attorneys.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)