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Woman Found Dead in Apartment with 2-Year-Old, Child's Father Charged with Murder

A 31-year-old woman was found dead inside her apartment Wednesday evening along with her 2-year-old child, who was not injured, police say.

Sumter, SC (WLTX) — A Sumter-area man is charged with the murder of his child's mother, according to the Sumter Police Department.

Lois Smith, 31, was found dead inside her apartment around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday evening after family and friends became concerned because they hadn't been able to reach her since sometime Tuesday, according to investigators. Smith’s 2-year-old child also was found inside the home but was

not injured, say police.

Alonzo Shaw, 50, of Wedgefield, who is the father of Smith's child, was arrested Wednesday night and charged with murder early Thursday morning, according to police, who say he face additional charges as the investigation continues.

Meanwhile Tasheed Nelson said Smith would come to him for tattoos and always had a smile on her face.

"She was a sweet person. She would give you the shirt off of her back. She was a straight up, honest person like she wouldn't hurt a fly. I don't understand why he even had to do that to her. She loved her kid like her son was her everything. She loved her son. He was all she ever talked about," he said.

No cause of death has been released, and police say an autopsy is planned for Thursday morning.

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