Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
A Salisbury woman has been charged with the murder of her 2-month-old son, who was found unresponsive in a motel this weekend.
Police also said Wednesday this is the mother’s second child who has died from suffocation.
Latoyia Niccole Myers, 24, of 617 Linn Lane, is charged with the second-degree murder of her infant son, Jyhiem Adam Bacon.
Preliminary autopsy results indicate the cause of death was suffocation.
Salisbury Police responded to the Happy Traveler Inn on Saturday after the mother called 911.
When officers arrived, the baby was not responsive. Emergency medical personnel tried to revive the infant, but the baby was already dead.
Upon searching the room, investigators found marijuana and cocaine.
Myers was charged with possession of marijuana and cocaine. She was taken to jail where she later posted bond.
After her arrest Wednesday, officers reported they found another small amount of cocaine on Myers.
Myers was additionally charged with possession of a schedule II controlled substance (cocaine) on jail premises. She received an additional $5,000 bond, an arrest warrant showed.
In the earlier fatality, authorities received a 911 phone call regarding an unresponsive baby Nov. 11, 2007.
The child, Zy-marion Dwayne Myers, was 29 days old. Medical responders tried to revive the infant, but were unsuccessful.
“That case is very similar to this,” Deputy Chief Steve Whitley said.
He was quick to point out that though they seem similar, the circumstances surrounding the death of Jyhiem Bacon are different.
“Each incident stands on its own merits,” Whitley said.
He did not provide further details of the most recent death.
The autopsy report from Zy-marion’s death revealed the cause of death to be accidental suffocation.
The report noted a child of this age face down on a pillow would not be able to raise his head.
“This situation (co-sleeping with an adult on a makeshift bed on top of a pillow) represents an inappropriate sleeping environment for an infant,” the report said.
Dr. Thomas D. Owens was the medical examiner.
Whitley said in the first death, the district attorney’s office declined to prosecute Myers.
“It is an absolute tragedy. It is bad for the child, the mother, the family and the EMS workers who attempted to revive the child and the law enforcement who have to investigate,” Whitley said.
Myers remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $250,000 secured bond. Her first court appearance is today.