Catawba Co. mother makes court appearance after child abuse charges

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — A Catawba County mother fought back tears before she appeared in court Friday.

She is charged with two counts of child abuse one week after her 20-month-old son died.

According to arrest warrants, police believe Whitney Weathers should have done more to keep her children safe.

Fighting back tears, Weathers told Eyewitness News she loved her two young children.

“I just want my baby back,” she said.

Last Friday, her son, 20-month-old Jaydon Sandlin, died at an apartment in Long View. Weather's 3-year-old daughter, Kylie, was rushed to the hospital with burns.

According to the arrest warrant, Weathers showed a reckless disregard for the children for failing to get medical attention. Police said even though Weathers wasn't home when her son died, they found older scalding burns all over the children's bodies.

She said she is not responsible.

“No, I was at work and I came home and seen the burns and I tried to take them to the hospital but he wouldn't let me,” she said.

Police charged Weather's boyfriend, William Lail III, with murder. They said he was watching the children while Weathers was at work.

“My daughter is a victim. She is innocent,” her mother, Gayle Ervin, said.

Family members comforted the 21-year-old in court Friday. They don't believe she should face charges in the case.

“She is very shaken and she just wants her baby boy back,” Ervin said. “She loves them with all her heart. She is a very good mom."

Weathers is out of jail on a $40,000 bond. She asked for a court-appointed attorney and will be back in court May 30.

WSOC