By PSA Newsroom Staff
ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — A 19-year-old woman has been charged with homicide by child abuse following the death of her 22-month-old son in December 2025, authorities said.
Investigation and Charges
According to the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office, deputies allege that Jaz’Men Nicole Bristow is responsible for the fatal injuries sustained by her toddler son. Bristow was arrested on charges of homicide by child abuse — a murder charge that, under South Carolina law, applies when a child dies due to intentional or reckless abuse by a caregiver.
The case stems from events on Dec. 16, 2025, when the child was brought unresponsive to the Medical University of South Carolina in Orangeburg. Deputies said the child had a body temperature of 90 degrees when he arrived, and he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
An autopsy reportedly revealed blunt force trauma to the toddler’s abdomen, including a lacerated liver and bruising of internal organs, according to the arrest warrant. Investigators believe these injuries were inflicted before the child’s death.
Statements and Circumstances
Deputies say Bristow told investigators she had been in full care of her son and that he had been sleeping on her chest before she found him unresponsive. After finding him in distress, she allegedly gave him water and then rushed him to the hospital.
Potential Penalties
If convicted of homicide by child abuse, Bristow could face decades in prison, potentially up to 20 years to life, reflecting the seriousness of causing a child’s death through abusive conduct.
Community Impact
The tragic death has drawn attention from both local law enforcement and public safety advocates, highlighting ongoing concerns around child safety and abuse. Authorities routinely urge anyone suspecting child neglect or abuse to report it promptly to law enforcement or child protective services.
Note: The person charged in this case is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial. All statements in this report are based on official charges and public records.
