Winchester baby found in ‘dirty’ conditions, parents charged with abuse

Published 4:05 pm Monday, February 12, 2024

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A pair of Winchester residents were arrested and charged with child abuse following the conclusion of an investigation.

Twenty-one-year-olds Jaden Shoemaker and Brooklynn Faith Antionette Lavizzio – face charges of criminal abuse in the first degree of a child 12 or under after a baby was found in “dirty” conditions. 

According to an arrest warrant, a local church employee filed a complaint with the Winchester Police Department on Dec. 18th after being concerned that a baby’s caretaker was not in a mentally equipped state to care for the child. 

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The baby was allegedly found at its home wearing only a diaper on the floor, with gnats at the house described by authorities as the worst they’d ever encountered. There were also reportedly several empty jars of formula and a bowl with a small amount of formula inside. 

The arrest warrant pointed out that investigators found dirty diapers on the floor of the home, in addition to a toilet that hadn’t been flushed in what was described as “quite some time.” 

There was also reportedly one green onesie in the house and that was said to be soaked in urine. 

Authorities also said that bottles at the home were “dirty and spoiled”, and did not see any clean ones. 

When talking with a babysitter, investigators heard that they had not seen the parents – Shoemaker and Lavizzio – for several days. 

The baby was taken to Clark Regional Medical Center for treatment. 

The arrest warrant also noted that, while in the emergency room, medical records showed that the baby was dirty, smelled of urine, and – as indicated by being seen biting on their fist and fingers – was clearly hungry. 

Court documents state the baby was in the second percentile for weight and below the second percentile for length, given their age. A pediatrician noted that the baby was two rounds of immunizations behind where they should be. 

The baby was placed into the custody of the Department for Community-Based Services, which is responsible for child and adult protection. 

The warrant was issued by 25th District Court Judge Earl-Ray Neal on Wednesday, Feb. 7th at 1:00 p.m. and executed on Thursday, Feb. 8th at approximately 12:42 a.m. 

Shoemaker and Lavizzio – who are both due in court at 11 a.m. on Feb. 21st – told authorities they were not present because they had to DoorDash but visited their child regularly. 

Each is being held at Clark County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond.