South Carolina Parents Arrested Over Nine‑Year‑Old Son's Death Amid Neglect Investigation Two parents in South Carolina face child‑neglect charges after their nine‑year‑old son was found dead in their home, where investigators uncovered unsanitary conditions and a failure to seek medical care. Parallel cases in West Virginia reveal similar patterns of neglect and the removal of children from unsafe homes. A pair of parents in South Carolina have been taken into custody on suspicion of gross neglect after the sudden death of their nine‑year‑old son last month. The case, which unfolded in Chester County, was reported by the sheriff's office on Friday, October 9. Deputies answered a call on September 20 at the family's home in Fort Lawn where they found the child unresponsive. Investigators determined that the boy had endured a hostile living environment.Parents Charged With Unlawful ConductThe house was filled with animal waste and dried human feces that had accumulated on walls, floors and clothing, evidence that the children were being kept in an abnormally dirty and hazardous setting. The sheriff's office said the parents had a "failure to obtain timely medical attention" for the child, who had been battling diarrhea and vomiting for several days before his death. The parents, Dwayne and Dorothy Hickman, were arrested on two counts of unlawful conduct toward a child.While the same incident involved a child in West Virginia, the case there illustrates a parallel pattern of neglect. A boy sent to school with cockroaches visible in his backpack and numerous bug bites was later found to have suffered from untreated health conditions. When authorities searched the families' abode in Doddridge County, they seized two other children-the boy's sister, who had not attended school for six years, and the youngest child, 5‑months old.Investigators identified developmental and cognitive concerns in the elder sister, coupled with a lack of routine medical evaluations or developmental services. The men connected to the West Virginia families, identified as 40‑year‑old Hefner and 41‑year‑old Adkins, faced charges similar to the South Carolina parents. Their case is still pending, but the authorities have taken the children into protective custody.Disturbing Pattern Of Parental NeglectThe situations in both states highlight a disturbing pattern of parental neglect that put children in environments that were not only unsanitary, but also posed a significant threat to the children's physical and mental well‑being. Sheriff's spokespersons reiterated that the agencies involved would not rest until they had completed thorough investigations and determined whether additional criminal charges are warranted.Community members have expressed both shock and concern, noting that multiple children are currently in foster care until the outcome of the investigations can be decided. The Department's record demonstrates an ongoing commitment to child welfare, cooperation with state and federal law enforcement, and an emphasis on ensuring safe and healthy homes for all families receiving support.