Sheriff: SC man hugged child so tightly that boy died; charged with involuntary manslaughter
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A South Carolina sheriff says a 27-year-old man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter more than a year after he hugged a 14-month-old child so tightly that the boy stopped breathing and died.
A news release from Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell says Robert Kemp was taken into custody Tuesday and released on $10,000 bond Wednesday. Kemp is described as a family friend.
After the hug on June 27, 2013, someone in the home noticed the child was unconscious in his crib and unsuccessfully tried to resuscitate him.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The sheriff's release didn't say why it took a year to bring charges or give additional information on why Kemp was charged.
A spokeswoman for the sheriff did not respond to an email or phone message.
If convicted, Kemp faces up to five years in prison.