7-week old “Theo’s” death being investigated
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a seven week old infant that occurred on December 26, 2022 at 2:48 PM. (Update: Coroner Addis identifies the deceased as Theodore “Theo” Sage Raynor, death to blunt force head trauma, and he classifies Theo’s death as homicide).
Deputies from the Uniform Patrol Bureau responded to an address at 50 Keoway Dr, an apartment complex near the Corinth-Shiloh Fire Department on 12-26-2022 at 2:48 PM in reference to a cardiac arrest of an infant after a 911 call was received.
Once on scene Deputies and EMS located the infant who was unresponsive. CPR was started and the infant was transported by EMS to Oconee Hospital where the infant was pronounced deceased a short time later.
OCSO Investigators responded to the scene along with the Coroner to investigate the death and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Child Death Task Force was notified to assist with the investigation.
During the investigation a search warrant was obtained for the residence and unlawful narcotics were discovered in the residence. The parents of the deceased infant, Michael Blackwell JR. and Sheila Raynor were taken into custody and each charged with the following crimes: Unlawful Neglect of Child/Helpless Person, Poss. of Cocaine 1st, Poss. of Narcotic in schedule 1 and schedule 2 1st offense, Poss. of controlled substance schedule 1 to 5, 1st offense. Both subjects’ were booked into the Oconee County Detention Center.
An active investigation is still ongoing to determine the cause of death for the infant victim.
If you have any information regarding this investigation, you are asked to call the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office at 864-638-4111. You can also leave a tip online with Crimestoppers, where you don’t have to give your name, at oconeesccrimestoppers.com. If your tip leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward.