Published: March 14, 2008 02:38 pm      

Drew couple charged in the death of child

Drew — A Drew couple has been charged with manslaughter in the death of their 11-month-old son.

Antonio First, 23, was being held on $75,000 bond on one count of manslaughter and one count of child abuse. His girlfriend, 19-year-old Skiye Johnson, was charged with one count of manslaughter. Her bond was set at $50,000.

Both were being held in the Sunflower County jail after initial court appearances on Wednesday.

Sunflower County Sheriff James Haywood said Talijah Johnson was taken to North Sunflower Medical Center in Ruleville on March 4 and then moved to a Jackson hospital, where he later died.

Haywood said an autopsy determined the child died of injuries consistent with shaken-thrown baby syndrome, including head trauma and hemorrhaging in the stomach.