Louisiana Babysitter Charged with Murder After 3 Hours Alone with Infant Leads to Fatal Injuries

Louisiana babysitter charged in tragic death of infant, accused of causing severe injuries while in her care.

A Louisiana mother’s worst nightmare became reality when she returned home to find her 3-month-old son unresponsive after spending just three hours with a trusted babysitter. Authorities now say the child, Kairo Anderson, suffered multiple skull fractures and a massive brain bleed, injuries consistent with a brutal assault.

The babysitter, 40-year-old Shirley L. Sawyer of Lake Charles, has been charged with first-degree murder and remains in custody with a $2.5 million bond.

A Trusted Sitter Turns Suspect

Kairo's mother, Symone Anderson, had asked Sawyer—a woman she had known for some time—to watch her infant son on January 22. There was no reason to suspect anything would go wrong.

“I've been knowing this girl for a minute, and I couldn't believe it,” Anderson told local NBC affiliate WSFA. “You smiled in my face, and you killed my baby behind my back.”

When Anderson returned to Sawyer's home, she initially thought her baby was sleeping. But moments later, panic set in as she realized Kairo was limp and unresponsive. Without hesitation, she rushed him to the hospital.

Hospital Staff Uncover the Horrific Truth

Medical professionals quickly determined that Kairo's injuries were not accidental. The 3-month-old had sustained a massive brain bleed and multiple skull fractures—signs of severe trauma.

“Detectives learned the baby sustained a massive brain bleed and multiple skull fractures, which are believed to be consistent with trauma,” the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

Due to the severity of his injuries, Kairo was airlifted to a specialized hospital out of town. Tragically, despite efforts to save him, he did not survive.

Murder Charges Filed Against the Babysitter

As investigators gathered evidence and spoke with medical staff, it became clear that Sawyer was the primary suspect. On February 3, a warrant was issued for her arrest.

Sawyer was taken into custody and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center on a charge of first-degree murder. As of Thursday, she remains behind bars with a $2.5 million bond.

A Grieving Mother’s Plea for Justice

As the case unfolds, Symone Anderson is left grappling with the devastating loss of her son. The heartbreak of losing Kairo is compounded by the betrayal of someone she once trusted.

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