Deputies: Babysitter who served 10 years in infant’s death back in Spartanburg Co. custody

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - A woman who served 10 years in prison after pleading guilty in a baby’s death is back in custody in Spartanburg County, officials said.

The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office said Katie Wheeler Harris tested positive for a banned substance on a drug test required under her home detention contract.

Officials said Harris will have to appear before a judge to determine how she will serve the remainder of her sentence.

In 2016, Harris pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the death of 3-month-old Everly Dickard, whom she had been babysitting.

At the time, deputies said Everly suffered non-accidental head trauma while in Harris’ care. The baby died 10 days later.

Officials said Harris initially told them Everly fell from a baby swing and lied about how she was hurt. Before Harris’ guilty plea, her attorney said she maintained she was not guilty as charged.

Harris was initially charged with felony child abuse. The charge was later upgraded to homicide by child abuse before she pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter.

Harris was sentenced to 30 years, suspended to 10 years in prison, followed by home detention and probation.

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