The Department of Social Services in South Carolina has taken custody of three children after a rat began to feast on 6-month-old twin babies. Akayla Bearden and Justin Bearden, both 24, reportedly called 911 to report injuries to their infant daughter. When deputies from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the family’s mobile home on May 9, 2025, they saw a disturbing scene.
According to a statement from the sheriff’s office shared May 12, deputies responded to a call after the parents found “blood covering the bassinet and the infant. The bite marks span across the baby’s arms, back of the head, ears and face.”
Emergency responders took the 6-month-old girl to Greenville Memorial Hospital for treatment, and a criminal investigation began. She was not the only baby injured.
“The baby is a twin and evidence shows her twin brother also has bite marks on his feet,” the sheriff’s office reported. “The parents admitted to field rats being an ongoing issue inside their single wide home for the last several months, however, they continued to allow their children to live there.”
The story made many people question how something like this could happen. Commenters shared their disgust on the sheriff’s Facebook page.
“How did the rats do all of this damage before the parents noticed? I’m sure she was screaming & crying. This is so sad. Poor babies,” someone asked in a comment.
“No matter their struggle, and people are struggling, no excuse. You protect your kids at all cost and when you can’t you call in help,” another person wrote. “People would gladly bring in traps or poison for this situation. No excuse period for this.”
But at least one person hoped people would give the parents grace.
“That is a very sad situation. Horrifying. Instead of judging, maybe someone can help them find the access point and close it up?” one person commented. “Living is hard and inflation is high. Maybe they could use assistance instead of condemption? The Mother did call for help. She didn’t neglect the injured child.”
Police arrested the parents, and both now face two charges of unlawful conduct toward a child. According to Fox Carolina, a judge granted both parents a PR bond on May 13. They cannot have contact with their children unless ordered by DSS. The couple’s next court date is set for July 31. If convicted, they face up to 10 years in prison.
