Sausha Mia Myers told dispatchers her 1-year-old daughter was "nonresponsive and breathing slowly" when officers arrived at a St. Louis apartment Sunday. By the time paramedics reached the scene, the little girl had no pulse. She weighed just 10 pounds — less than half what doctors say a healthy child her age should weigh.
Background
Myers, 29, was caring for two young daughters in an apartment on the 4300 block of St. Ferdinand Avenue in north St. Louis when tragedy struck. According to a probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by investigators, Myers called 911 reporting her youngest child had stopped responding. Officers who responded found both children lying inside the home — both appeared "severely malnourished and emaciated," police wrote.
The 1-year-old was pronounced dead at the hospital. A second child, a 3-year-old girl, weighed just 17 pounds — roughly 13 pounds below the average healthy weight for her age. That child had developed lanugo, a soft fine hair that typically only appears on infants in utero but can emerge when the body lacks sufficient fat to maintain warmth. She also bore scars on her chest and stomach and was nonverbal.
After being advised of her Miranda rights, Myers told investigators neither child had seen a doctor in over a year. She acknowledged the older girl had previously been under medical care in Texas for low weight, where a physician had instructed her about proper nutrition. According to police, neither child suffered from any medical conditions that would prevent normal weight gain.
The Charges
Myers is charged with two counts of child abuse and neglect with serious physical injury. Police allege she fed the deceased girl a daily diet consisting solely of yogurt, vegetable pouches and fruit pouches — totaling approximately 250 calories per day. Medical professionals say toddlers typically require between 1,000 and 1,200 calories daily for healthy development.
Investigators noted the child had developed bedsores on her head and back in the weeks before her death. Myers reportedly acknowledged her daughter's condition had worsened over the final two weeks but said she never sought medical care. An autopsy will determine an official cause of death, and prosecutors indicated additional charges may follow.
Myers remains held at the St. Louis City Justice Center without bond. Her next court date has not yet been scheduled.
Key Takeaways
- The 1-year-old weighed only 10 pounds — roughly 14 pounds below the average weight for a girl her age
- Police say Myers fed both children a severely restricted diet totaling approximately 250 calories per day
- A surviving 3-year-old sibling also appeared malnourished and was hospitalized with lanugo and unexplained scars
- Myers told investigators neither child had received medical care in over a year despite prior doctor visits in Texas
- Police say no underlying medical conditions prevented either child from gaining weight normally
What's Next
An autopsy is pending to establish an official cause of death. Prosecutors have indicated additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues. Myers has not yet entered pleas in the case, and a preliminary hearing date has not been set.