Mother, newborn baby die at Upstate home; murder suspect arrested

MARIETTA, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said a man has been arrested after the bodies of a woman and her newborn baby were found inside a home Wednesday night.

Deputies were called to a house on Saw Mill Road around 8:34 p.m. in response to a 911 call about a missing woman. Upon arrival, deputies found 22-year-old Clarrissa Michelle Winchester deceased along with her newborn son.

Tyler Wilkins, 21, was arrested and charged with kidnapping and murder. According to arrest warrants, he confined Winchester inside a relative’s home and assaulted her, causing blunt force trauma to her head and neck. Her death has been ruled a homicide. Winchester’s family confirmed that Wilkins was her boyfriend.

He is also charged with child abuse because deputies say he failed to get help for the baby, which was his child, after it was born.

Arrest warrants state that investigators have documented evidence that Wilkins committed these crimes.

Winchester’s family has started a GoFundMe to raise money for her and her child’s funeral.

According to a background check from the State Law Enforcement Division, Wilkins has previously been arrested for drug possession, domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, attempted murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, threatening the life of an official and throwing bodily fluids.

Court records show Wilkins was granted bond in January with firearm restriction.

Wilkins appeared in court on Thursday night where he was denied bond.

The investigation is ongoing by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and Coroner’s Office.

We will update this story as officials release new information.

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