McKenzie Turner (image courtesy Oconee County Jail)
SENECA, S.C. (AP) - Relatives say a Seneca man accused of killing his 7-month-old niece asked if he could watch over the girl the night before she died.
Amanda Stashluk told WYFF-TV on Wednesday that 26-year-old McKenzie Turner had asked if he could take care of Amy Genesis Stashluk. The mother says Turner will soon become a father and wanted practice caring for a child.
Paramedics were called to a home early Sunday after Amy stopped breathing.
The girl was revived but died a day later at the hospital. Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis says Amy had a non-accidental head injury. Arrest warrants say Turner shook and dropped the infant.
Turner was arrested Tuesday and charged with homicide by child abuse. It wasn't known if he had an attorney.