Mom arrested after 12-year-old daughter found weighing 47 pounds, authorities say

ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC/News) - A mother in South Carolina was arrested after her 12-year-old daughter was allegedly found severely underweight, according to authorities.

Chiquitta Dawkins, 43, was charged with unlawful conduct toward a child, deputies say.

Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell said deputies were called to a location in Bowman, where they found the child suffering from severe malnutrition, according to the arrest warrant.

The investigation found that the girl limped because of her condition, had frail bones and weighed 47 pounds.

Deputies also determined that there were no education records for the child after kindergarten, according to an incident report.

“There are no reasonable people on this planet who could possibly think this is fine,” Ravenell said. “Leaving a child to become this sick, this malnourished is the utmost in despicable.”