Augusta, Georgia — Danashia McClennon, a 20-year-old from Augusta, has been charged in connection with the tragic death of a 2-year-old boy, Rayshon Roberts. Initially charged with cruelty to children in the first degree, McClennon now faces additional murder charges as new details emerge about the circumstances surrounding the toddler’s death.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office announced the escalation of charges on Tuesday, following an initial arrest on July 24. McClennon’s case has garnered significant attention due to the disturbing nature of the allegations and the complexity of the investigation.
Rayshon Roberts was discovered unresponsive in a bathtub at a residence on Cross Tree Court on July 24. Emergency responders from the Augusta Fire Department found McClennon attempting to perform CPR on the child. According to the incident report, McClennon initially claimed that she had left Rayshon unattended in the bathtub for approximately ten minutes and found him face down in the water upon her return.
However, the situation quickly became suspect when firefighters observed that both Rayshon and his diaper were dry, contradicting the initial story of drowning. This discrepancy prompted further scrutiny from deputies and led to the unfolding investigation.
As the investigation progressed, additional inconsistencies emerged. McClennon later altered her account, stating that she had been on the couch playing games when she noticed Rayshon was unresponsive. This change in narrative, coupled with the evidence of the child being dry, raised serious questions about the veracity of McClennon’s statements.
The investigation also revealed that a 42-year-old man, who owned the home where the incident occurred, had used his phone to call 911. The man, however, claimed he was at work at the time and had not made the call himself. According to the report, a woman with a child, presumably McClennon and Rayshon, had been staying at the house while the homeowner was away. This inconsistency further complicated the case and heightened concerns about the accuracy of the initial reports.
Additional information came to light when deputies spoke with Rayshon’s mother, who was not present at the scene. She reported that her son had been in the care of multiple unknown individuals since the night of July 22, raising further questions about his well-being and the chain of custody leading up to his death.
The Richmond County Coroner’s Office has scheduled an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death and provide more clarity on the nature of the injuries. The results of this autopsy will be crucial in understanding the circumstances of Rayshon’s death and supporting the ongoing investigation.
The case remains under investigation, with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office emphasizing that no further information is available at this time. The evolving nature of the investigation and the serious charges against McClennon have shocked the local community and underscored the tragic loss of a young child.
The charges against McClennon and the details of the investigation highlight the challenges of prosecuting cases involving child abuse and neglect. The discrepancies in statements and the conflicting evidence point to a complex and distressing situation that requires careful legal and forensic scrutiny.
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In summary, Danashia McClennon’s case has taken a tragic turn with the addition of murder charges following the death of 2-year-old Rayshon Roberts. The inconsistencies in the initial reports, combined with the ongoing investigation and upcoming autopsy, continue to shape the case. The community is left grappling with the loss of a young life and the disturbing details surrounding the incident, emphasizing the need for thorough investigation and justice.
Reference Article:
https://www.wrdw.com/2024/07/31/grim-details-released-2-year-olds-augusta-death-murder-charge/