MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Horry County police officers have identified the woman who claims to have lost her baby in a Socastee creek as 33-year-old Sarah Lane Toney.
According to Lt. Raul Denis, Toney was arrested on an outstanding, unrelated warrant and is being held at the Horry Coounty Detention Center
Crews called off the search Tuesday night for the missing Socastee baby after getting reports a woman threw the child in a creek.
According to Lt. Raul Denis, a homeowner reported finding a woman, later identified as Toney, on her back porch. The initial call to officers was in reference to a suspicious person around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Toney then reportedly told the homeowner she went into the creek with her child, Lt. Denis adds. Investigators revealed that Toney lost her baby in a rushing creek, behind a home on Simms Drive.
Toney was transported to Conway Hospital for “medical clearance” while officials searched for the child Tuesday afternoon.
“Anything she tells us has to be investigated and corroborated,” explained Denis.
Detectives canvassed Simms Drive, talking to neighbors. Kaylee White lives three doors down and says she’s seen Toney out walking.
“I have two babies of my own; I couldn’t imagine doing anything to them,” stated White.
Rescue crews discontinued their search for the infant Tuesday at sunset, says Lt. Denis. The water became too high and too fast for crews to continue the search. Officers will continue to search for the baby at 8 a.m. Wednesday morning.
“The water is really fast and turbulent so it’s not ideal for any diver to be in it,” said Denis.
The baby named Grace is five months old, according to Lt. Denis. Police k-9 agents were called to the scene to aid in the search for the child.
Lt. Denis said officers were on scene, along the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Horry County Fire Rescue, conducting an investigation. Horry County Police released a photo of the baby shortly after the search began.
J. Reuben Detention Center online booking records show that Toney has been arrested twice within the past 12 months. Toney was booked into the jail March 6 at 9:03 a.m. for criminal domestic violence, third or subsequent offense. She was released on $5,000 bond the following day.
Toney was also jailed in November 2014 for numerous drug charges. Online booking records confirm Toney was booked November 6, 2014 on charges of giving false information to police, possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, shoplifting, manufacturing crack cocaine, possession of contraband by prisoner.
