A heartbreaking incident in Augusta, Georgia, has left the community in shock after a 3-month-old infant, Josiah Noel Seright, lost his life under deeply disturbing circumstances. According to a report by The Mirror on Saturday, August 10, 2024, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has charged three adults in connection with the infant’s death at a Budget Inn hotel.
On the early morning of Tuesday, August 6, 2024, a call was placed to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office reporting an “unknown situation” at the Budget Inn located at 1616 Gordon Highway. Officers responded to the scene shortly after 2:00 a.m., where they discovered baby Josiah in a dire state.
The infant was found strapped in a car seat placed directly in front of an air conditioning unit, wrapped in a wet blanket. The room’s air conditioner was set to an extremely cold 61 degrees, a combination that proved fatal for the baby. Meanwhile, the three adults in the room—19-year-old September De’asia Seright, 42-year-old Lamisha Diane Seright, and 39-year-old Bennie Antonio Nash—were allegedly relaxing on a couch and bed, seemingly unaware of the danger they had placed the child in.
Baby Josiah was immediately rushed to Wellstar MCG Health for emergency treatment. Despite the medical team’s efforts, the infant was pronounced dead at 2:37 a.m., just minutes after arriving at the hospital. Preliminary investigations revealed that the baby succumbed to hypothermia and respiratory failure, though the case remains under investigation.
The tragic circumstances surrounding Josiah’s death have raised serious questions about the adults’ actions and the events leading up to the incident. Hypothermia, as defined by the Cleveland Clinic, is a medical emergency caused by prolonged exposure to cold, wet, or windy conditions. The clinic’s website explains, “Eventually, with continued exposure to cold temperatures, your body uses up its stored energy and your body temperature begins to fall.”
“Babies have the highest surface area for their weight and lose heat the most rapidly,” the Cleveland Clinic notes, highlighting the heightened vulnerability of infants to such conditions.
In light of these events, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has charged September Seright, Lamisha Seright, and Bennie Nash with second-degree murder and cruelty to a child. These charges reflect the severe neglect that allegedly led to the infant’s tragic death.
The case has drawn significant media attention, with local outlets like WJBF, The Augusta Chronicle, and The Augusta Press closely following the developments. However, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the arrests or provide additional details about the ongoing investigation.
This incident is a grim reminder of the dangers of neglect and the importance of safeguarding the most vulnerable among us. As the investigation continues, the Augusta community mourns the loss of a life taken far too soon.