Summerville, SC - Authorities are releasing more information in the child abuse case that left a three year old dead. This comes as investigators arrested 23 year old Shanita Cunningham in connection with the case. They have charged her with homicide by child abuse. Cunningham is the second arrest in the death of three year old Serenity Richardson. 23 year old Erica Butts was arrested Tuesday and charged with homicide by child abuse. Cunningham and Butts are roommates and live in Summerville.

Authorities say Butts was taking care of Serenity when the child died.

According to court documents, Erica Butts told authorities she beat the child multiple times with a belt after the child urinated on the floor. Butts also said Serenity hit her head multiple times while falling in the bathroom and thirty minutes after the last fall, Butts said the child’s breathing became shallow.

That’s when authorities say Erica Butts called her mother LaDawn Butts to her home to help. They say LaDawn Butts was the one who called 911.

The investigation also shows that Shanita Cunningham was at the home during the incident and also hit the child with a belt.

Court papers also show Cunningham realized the toddler was unconscious and put the child on ice to shock her. When that did not work, authorities say Cunningham put bleach under the child’s nose to attempt to wake her up. Authorities say that is when Cunningham left the state to avoid being arrested.

Investigators say the toddler had bruises all over her body and head and a large burn on her leg.

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