SOCASTEE, SC – (WBTW), Horry county police arrested Sarah Toney, the woman who reportedly lost her child into a creek in Socastee and she has a long criminal record.
Tuesday, Horry County Police say they arrested Toney on an unrelated warrant.
According to J. Reuben Long Detention Center’s website the 33-year-old has no charges listed the arrest. It says she was booked around 6:30 Tuesday evening, but police say she was in their custody all day.
“We’re working an investigation on one side and a rescue on another,” said Horry County Lieutenant Raul Denis.
Horry county police say Toney, who is the mother of at least two children, went into the water behind her house on Sims drive with her 5-month-old infant and ended up 1/4 mile down at Shem Creek Circle.
Police say Toney claims she lost the child in the rushing waters behind her house, but at this point, they cannot confirm that is what happened.
“Anything she tells us has to be investigated and corroborated before we can take it seriously; much less comment on it,” said Lt. Denis.
News 13 looked up Toney’s criminal record on the public index. It says she has either pleaded-to, or been found guilty-of several crimes; including possession of meth or cocaine, possession of marijuana or hash, driving under the influence, malicious injury to animals, criminal domestic violence, providing false information to police and several other charges.
Lt. Denis says even though they cannot confirm Toney’s story yet, crews were out for a majority of the day canvasing the waters around the area until the search was called off because of darkness and rough conditions at around 6 p.m.
He says crews will continue the search Wednesday at 8 a.m.
“Hopefully we’ll find that baby healthy and well,” said Lt. Denis.
News 13 spoke to several residents as well as a woman who lives in the same home as Toney, who says she is the missing baby’s godmother.
She was very emotional about the incident and did not want to speak on camera.
As well, the woman who found Toney on her back porch also refused to talk on camera.
We’ll continue to keep you posted as more develops with this story.
