CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) -- A teen has been charged and a baby placed in protective custody after an incident at MUSC's Children's Hospital.
According to a report from MUSC's public relations department, the baby has been placed into the custody of DSS in Berkeley County after the incident on Friday, February 3. The mother, identified as Chevonne Deandra Younginer of Summerville is being charged as an adult.
Public safety officials at MUSC say the mother tore cotton from the hat of a stuffed animal and shoved it down the child's throat.
According to an incident report, a minute later, the nursing staff was alerted the child was in distress.
Officers say the whole ordeal was captured on video. They say the mother shoved the item into the child's mouth, and then, after several seconds, pushed it further down the child's throat.
As officers explained to the teen that DSS would be taking the child into custody, they say she told them the baby had been choking since birth -- and that she was "very proud of herself for being so good at doing CPR on her baby so she doesn't die." Younginer was taken into custody and charged with unlawful conduct towards a child.
Once Younginer learned her actions were caught on video, she stopped cooperating with police and faked a fainting spell, placing herself on the ground and kicking a chair to make it appear as if she had fallen.
Court records list her charges as unlawful neglect of child or helpless person. She has been released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond.
The investigation is ongoing.
Check back with ABC News 4 as we continue to develop this story.
Chevonne Deandra Younginer (provided)
