ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. – The parents of a 4-month-old girl who died last year now face murder and other charges in connection to her death.
After a yearlong investigation, a Rockbridge County grand jury issued several indictments Monday against 41-year-old Charles Everett Ford III and 29-year-old Diane Nicole Hazelwood.
Both were indicted on felony cruelty and injury to a child, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and felony murder.
On April 16, 2016, the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the death of Charlee Marie Faith Ford, a 4-month-old from the Alone Mill area of Rockbridge County.
The medical examiner’s investigation reported the infant’s cause of death to be sudden unexpected infant death or SIDS, with an undetermined manner of death.
“After a very lengthy and comprehensive investigation, our investigators and the Rockbridge Commonwealth’s attorney decided to ask for these indictments based on the totality of the circumstances encompassing Charlee’s death; to include the parents’ actions and inactions,” said Capt. Tony McFaddin in a news release.
Ford and Hazelwood were arrested Tuesday and are being held in the Rockbridge Regional Jail without bond.