Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Death of Infant Boy

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.

Deputies from the Uniform Patrol Bureau responded to an address at the apartments on 50 Keoway Dr.in Seneca, SC 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, where they remain, with bond on those charges set at $55,000 for each suspect. Blackwell, Jr. has additionally been charged with Homicide by Child Abuse, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

An active investigation is still ongoing.

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. 

Update from Oconee Coroner’s Office:

A 7 week-old infant boy was pronounced dead in the emergency department at Oconee Memorial Hospital on Monday, December 26, 2022 at 4:04 pm.

A 911 call was received at approximately 2:50 pm on Monday afternoon reporting a pediatric cardiac arrest.  Units responded to 50 Keoway Drive, Apartment C-8 near Seneca.  Medical care was provided by EMS with transport to the hospital.  

An autopsy was conducted Wednesday morning; this infant died from blunt force head trauma.

The manner of death is classified a Homicide.

The infant is identified as Theodore “Theo” Sage Raynor.

The investigation is ongoing by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Department; SLED SVU; and the Oconee County Coroner’s Office.