Authorities investigating death of Eastern Cherokee baby girl

Wednesday, February 23, 2011  

Authorities in North Carolina are investigating the death of a 15-month-old girl who was a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Aubrey Littlejohn died at Cherokee Indian Hospital on January 10. She showed signs of abuse and severe neglect , according to news reports.

Littlejohn was living with her great-aunt off the reservation. Her mother is reportedly in jail on drug charges.

The State Bureau of Investigation raided the Swain County Department of Social Services as part of the probe, according to news reports. The tribe also has hired a private investigator to look into the case.

“We are unable to comment further about this ongoing investigation, but we remain committed to following through to ensure justice is served in this case,” Chief Michell Hicks said in a statement, The Asheville Citizen Times reported.

Get the Story:
Swain child's death prompts inquiry (The Asheville Citizen-Times 2/23)
Suspicious death of 15-month-old prompts SBI to seize Swain DSS computers (The Smoky Mountain News 2/23)