YORK COUNTY, S.C. — Officials have now charged a woman in connection with the death of a 16-year-old after they said she provided her and two other teenagers with alcohol.
Kelly Nicole Hedrick, 28, was charged with involuntary manslaughter. She was initially charged with three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and three counts of transferring alcohol to minors.
The judge set her bond Monday at $10,000. The victim's family was hoping for a higher bond.
“The choices she made led to the death of my daughter,” the victim’s mother said in court. “I have to live without her every day."
The York County Sheriff’s Office was called to a home along Chapman Circle near York around 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 27 and found 16-year-old Shelby Brakefield unconscious and not breathing.
Officials said she was unable to be resuscitated and was pronounced dead at the home.
[Researchers: Use of cigarettes, alcohol down, while e-cigs, pot increase among Charlotte children]
Channel 9 learned, the day after Christmas several girls were spending the night at a friend's house near Rock Hill.
Officials said Hedrick bought three bottles of vodka for three teen girls and the next day, Brakefield's friends reportedly found her dead when they woke up. Officials said she died from acute alcohol poisoning.
“This tragic death is the worst-case scenario and why we implore those who are more mature and of legal age to not provide alcohol to minors,” said Sheriff Kevin Tolson.
Deputies told Channel 9's South Carolina Bureau reporter Greg Suskin, the tragedy should hit home for anyone who buys alcohol for minors.
"Even if you think you're gonna be the cool person, who's gonna be cool with the teenagers by supplying them alcohol, it's all gonna end up bad for everybody," said Deputy Trent Faris with the York County Sheriff's Department.
Hedrick is scheduled to have a bond meeting Monday afternoon. She could spend up to five years in prison for involuntary manslaughter.
Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.
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