North Augusta woman charged with killing her baby

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Posted: 4:11 PM Mar 18, 2008
Last Updated: 3:02 PM Mar 19, 2008
Reporter: Kate Kassay
Email Address: kate.kassay@wrdw.com

38 comments

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March 18, 2008

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.---A North Augusta woman is charged in the death of her 4-month-old daughter.

North Augusta Public Safety says 24-year-old Adrienne Michelle Bush is charged with homicide by child abuse.

They say EMS was called to Bush's apartment Tuesday for an infant not breathing. When they arrived, the infant had no vital signs and had not been responsive for some time.

The Aiken County Coroner determined that the infant's cause of death was massive head trauma. Investigators charged Bush. She will be held at the Aiken County jail.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: valencial Location: greenville on Apr 12, 2008 at 07:00 AM
No matter how you look at this it is a tragedy. Anyone who is a mother knows that you could not possibly be in your right mind to harm your child. We can not judge this young lady. There is only one perfect person. GOD. He is the only one who can judge her. If GOD can forgive Moses for murder and have him lead his people out of bondage, If he can forgive David for having Uriah murdered and still call him a man after Gods own heart. He can forguve Adrienne. I feel that a psychiatric evaluation is in order, and if it is deemed that that she is suffering from a mental illness she should get the help she needs, because there is nothing that a court of law can do to her that will be worse than living with what has happened.

Posted by: Reality Location: Aiken on Mar 31, 2008 at 03:10 PM
I have NEVER seen so many excuses in print or email about how she "really didn't mean it." This is truly a topsy-turvy world, when we have more sympathy for the killer than the victim, and somehow seek to place the blame on the victim! Is there something in the water from SRS or Plant Vogle that I don't know about that effects brain growth and development? I am sorry to the people trying to feel so big about saying "don't judge," but stuff like this you NEED to be judgmental about!

Posted by: perry Location: augusta on Mar 30, 2008 at 10:50 PM
This woman is 24 years old. From what people are saying below that know her she has previous kids. Granted we don't know what she was going through nor do we know if it was post stress... however, the 4 month old couldn't have been the one with the stress... her other kids what were they doing? A lot of questions to be answered before judging but I will not accept the post stress due to her already having kids.. where's the father of these kids? Her parents? many people she can talk to.. heck you can sit behing a computer and just talk to someone. or 1800 help lines. I'm willing to bet drugs was involved but I don't like to be quick to judge. Accidents happen but neglect and abuse is not an accident. DFACS I hope your case worker for this one has some good documentation.

Posted by: C.C.S. Location: Aiken on Mar 27, 2008 at 04:42 AM
I just want to say that Michelle is a friend of mine and she was going through difficult times. I KNOW she would not have done this in her right mind. Please stop judging her. Like Patrick H. said: No sin is any greater than another. God IS the only judge and His opinion is the only one that matters. He loves Michelle regardless of her sins and so do I. To Michelle: I will never judge you. I only want to be there for you. I can't imagine what you may be going through right now. I pray for you and both families. Just remember that God forgives your sin as soon as you repent and don't judge yourself based on sins that the Lord has already forgotten. Luv ya Tweety! Don't forget to write.

Posted by: Family Member Location: Aiken on Mar 20, 2008 at 03:32 PM
Tiredness, problems sleeping, stronger emotional reactions, and changes in body weight may occur during pregnancy and after pregnancy. But these symptoms may also be signs of depression. You need to read this link about Postpartum Depression: http://www.4woman.gov/FAQ/postpartum.htm#1 This should explain it some more.

Posted by: Family Member Location: Aiken on Mar 20, 2008 at 03:27 PM
What is depression? Depression can be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for short periods. But true clinical depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life for an extended time. Depression can be mild, moderate, or severe. The degree of depression, which your doctor can determine, influences how you are treated. How common is depression during and after pregnancy? Depression that occurs during pregnancy or within a year after delivery is called perinatal depression. The exact number of women with depression during this time is unknown. But researchers believe that depression is one of the most common complications during and after pregnancy. Often, the depression is not recognized or treated, because some normal pregnancy changes cause similar symptoms and are happening at the same time.

Posted by: Family Memeber Location: Aiken on Mar 20, 2008 at 02:10 PM
If you knew her mental state before this happened, you wouldn't judge her. Yes, that is true what Doctor stated. Post partum can come at any time. It can possibly be a year or two from you having the child. She didn't mean to hurt her baby. For example, if you didn't work, you were tired down with your kids 24/7, no friends to really conversate with, what would you do. Yeah, it's no excuse, but post partum is an emotional and a depressing stage to go through. I went through it myself. I was use to working, having my own, and out among friends. I stayed home with my two kids for 3 to 4 yrs. I decided that I would get back into the working world. I never once thought about putting my hands on my kids, but I was in my right mind to know I needed to do something before I hurt myself. All I'm trying to say is, no her mental state before you judge. She may have had a mental problem & suffered with post partum as well. Thanks.

Posted by: Alisha Location: Hephzibah,Georgia on Mar 19, 2008 at 09:58 PM
Hey you guys be nice and stop leaving these negative comments,I'm pretty sure she didn't mean to do this at all,I think she just snapped,so you guys just prey for her and may God bless you all

Posted by: JAY on Mar 19, 2008 at 05:31 PM
PATRICK I AGREE WITH YOU, PEOPLE ON HERE SAYING SHE NEEDS TO HUNG OR KILLED, I'M PRETTY SURE NO ONE IS INNOCENT INCLUDING ME, SO DO NOT JUDGE HER TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR OWN LIVES!

Posted by: JAY Location: GA on Mar 19, 2008 at 05:14 PM
FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO SAY MY HEART GOES OUT TO MY COUSIN, EVERYONE WHO IS SAYING "BEAT HER HEAD, ETC,ETC" REALLY THAT IS NOT CALLED FOR, SHE DOES NOT HAVE MENTAL PROBLEMS, POST PARDUM PROBABLY DID PLAY A FACTOR IN WHAT HAPPENED, YES I THINK THIS IS AN EXTREMELY SAD SITUATION, I DO ALSO WISH I COULD HAVE HELPED, THE ONLY THING WE CAN DO IS PRAY FOR HER AND MY FAM, I AM NOT EXCUSING WHAT SHE DID BUT LET'S NOT JUDGE HER LET'S JUST PRAY FOR HER.

Posted by: naynay Location: aiken on Mar 19, 2008 at 04:41 PM
Can we please stop with the " let the lord handle it"!!!! God has nothing to do with what this woman did to her helpless child!!! I have been through deep depressions after childbirth but never have I ever harmed my children!!! There is ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE!!!

Posted by: PATRICK H. Location: CLEMSON,SC on Mar 19, 2008 at 04:35 PM
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I KNEW MICHELLE IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND SHE WAS A GREAT HUMAN BEING. THE STRESS THAT LED HER TO DO WHAT SHE DID, I PERSONALLY CAN'T COMMENT ON BECAUSE I HAVEN'T BEEN NOR WALKED IN HER SHOES. I ABSOLUTELY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SHE WAS GOING THROUGH, AND A LOT OF YOU WRITING COMMENTS PROBABLY COULDN'T EVEN IMAGINE WHAT THAT YOUNG LADY WAS DEALING WITH SO KEEP YOUR GOT DAMN COMMENTS ON YOUR SCREEN. PLEASE DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND DON'T POST THEM. AND THEY SAY LET GOD TAKE CARE OF IT, AND GOD TELLS ME IN EXODUS IN THE TEN COMMANDMENTS THAT THESE ARE THE LAWS WE ARE SUPPOSE TO FOLLOW, AND THERE ARE NO LIL SINS AND BIG SINS. SIN IS SIN, SO ALL OF YOU THAT HAVE STOLE, COMMITED ADULTERY,LIED,AND COMMITED OTHER SINS, WORRY ABOUT GOD FORGIVING YOU FOR THAT CAUSE ALL MAN CAN DO IS PUT MICHELLE IN JAIL, BUT ONLY GOD CAN PUT HER IN HEAVEN OR HELL. SO PLEASE DO HER A FAVOR AND PRAY FOR HER INSTEAD OF ANTAGONIZING HER CAUSE IN THE END WE ALL KNOW THAT ONLY GOD'S VERDICT MATTERS.

Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 19, 2008 at 03:11 PM
People, no one in the right state of mind would intentionally do this to their child. Let us pray for this young lady and her family as they face the long road ahead of them

Posted by: Anonymous Location: AUGUSTA, GA on Mar 19, 2008 at 02:55 PM
I HAVE A 3MONTH OLD BABY AND I LOVE HIM VERY MUCH. I HAVE HEARD OF WOMEN HAVING POST PARDUM DEPRESSION AND MAYBE JUST MAYBE THIS WAS THE CASE IN THIS ISSUE. MAY GOD BLESS THE STILL LIVING CHILDREN AND I PRAY FOR THE MOTHER, THAT SHE GETS THROUGH THIS AT THE END OF THE DAY THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN JUDGE THIS YOUNG LADY IS THE LORD.

Posted by: Blessing in Disquise Location: graniteville on Mar 19, 2008 at 02:10 PM
In reponse to Nakia Holley.evidentially you was aware of what she was going thru, so why you didn't be "super saver ***" if you knew this outcome could happen..yes we are quick to judge, but people are to quick to react, instead of getting help,and yes god is the only judge, but she did it here on earth, he will judge her when she get to him.

Posted by: Lil Mama Location: Beech island on Mar 19, 2008 at 01:40 PM
I feel that we should not judge her by this tradgedy.Yes, i admit what she did was wrong but she has two other children that are well taken care of. nobody knows what possibly could of went wrong in this tragedy so we just need to learn from others mistakes and pray for her.

Posted by: Dr. Muhammad, PhD Location: Columbia, SC on Mar 19, 2008 at 01:14 PM
To all those commenting, please keep in mind that this young woman may have been experiencing some form of Post Pardum depression. I understand she was very stressed and she had very little family support. There is a lot that comes into play with this form of depression. A mother suffering from this can easily snap, even when she has never shown any signs of abuse or violence. Therefore, I ask that you don't cast judgment on this young woman. Apparently, there was something that made her snap, especially since she didn't have a history of abuse upon her older children. Keep in mind, a pregnancy can take a woman's body and mental state thru a barage of changes. Often, people think this unique form of depression takes affectimmediately after birth, not so, it can take months after a birth before such a depression will manifest itself. So, until this woman has been evaluated by a medical physican and post pardum has been ruled out, hold off on your comments.

Posted by: Cordell Samuels Location: Dodge City on Mar 19, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Hey My cousin didnt really mean to do dat she sorry da lord will forget her but dat was her 3 child so if she didnt hurt da frist to kids why did she hurt dis they say? But dont judge my cousin for anything n dont talk about her If da Baby didnt ask to come da lord plan this n da long run for my cousin But God blessd my cousin way she at now.Thank

Posted by: CHRISTINA Location: NORTH AUGUSTA on Mar 19, 2008 at 11:52 AM
THIS IS PURE TRADEGY FOR THAT POOR CHILD THAT IS NO LONGER WITH US. IF LIFE WAS THAT BAD FOR HER, SHE SHOULD HAVE GIVEN HER CHILD UP. BESIDES, WHERE IS THE FATHER OF THIS CHILD AT?? BAD THINGS DO HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE, BUT ALSO GOOD PEOPLE BRING BAD ON THEIRSELVES. PRAY TO GOD THAT HE SHOW NO MERCY FOR HER.

Posted by: Cheriah Location: Atlanta,Ga on Mar 19, 2008 at 11:10 AM
She should be ashamed of herself this baby didn't ask to be brought into this world! People like this don't need to have kids!What could a 4 month year-old baby do?

Posted by: Aniya Location: Augusta on Mar 19, 2008 at 11:10 AM
This is a horrible crime. How can some one kill their own child? Sher should burn in hell for the rest of her life. My sympathy goes out to her family and other kids. Michelle was not raised like this and she know better. All i can say is, Its up to the Lord.

Posted by: Tiffany Location: atlanta, ga on Mar 19, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Let this be an example that situations like this do not happen to just certain families. I know this family and they are decent people, sometimes life just gets hard. Not that hurting your child is an excuse.But its important to love and support those around us. You never know what someone is thinking and what troubles they have in their life. Bc the devil is always lurking and preying on those who don't have that love. Its easier to say lets hate her than to say lets pray for her, but pray for this family and the two remaining childern. They are feeling it alot more than we are.

Posted by: Cordell Samuels Location: East Jackson on Mar 19, 2008 at 09:56 AM
Cousin Wat Was u Think About But Who Got Word Her Say Wat da **** got to say dat my ************ cousin n just like my cousin nikia holley said let god handle This

Posted by: ann Location: augusta, ga on Mar 19, 2008 at 07:44 AM
this is to the comment below... please tell me where was god when your cousin was beating in 2nd cousins head.... please tell me that..? ugh its a horrible crime and it just makes me sick that someone can do this.

Posted by: gerri Location: augusta, ga on Mar 19, 2008 at 04:01 AM
I have no tolerance for any of these women like this broad and hawes, smith, etc. Yes, they should all have their heads bashed in. They do not deserve to live.

Posted by: nakia holley Location: north augusta on Mar 19, 2008 at 01:01 AM
We are quick to judge when we have no right to. You don't know what storm may come in your life . Some can weather it some can't. So when you are sitting around lunch tomorrow talking about my cousin. Mind your own and let God handle this.

Posted by: Waiting On My Blessing Location: graniteville on Mar 19, 2008 at 12:58 AM
i don't understand how someone can recieve great blessing to having a child so easy, and hard for someone like me, who really want one, and the one's who have them , dont need them,.and **** like that makes me angry. bad as i want to concieve and i can't and these ******** get lucky,and kill them.. i dont understand.. ya'll pray for me..and these mothers, so that they can realize they blessing, that is right in front of them.. and know how lucky and truly bless it means to have a child. because some of can't...

Posted by: Latora Location: North Augusta on Mar 18, 2008 at 11:34 PM
I just want to know what could a four month old possibily do at that age to get abused. At four months an infant is only teething and just learning some grasp motor skill i just hope god has mercy on her.

Posted by: zella Location: north augusta on Mar 18, 2008 at 10:39 PM
she ought to be ashame of herself for beating that baby in the to it's death

Posted by: Heather Location: Augusta on Mar 18, 2008 at 09:15 PM
I think she's nuts..I have an eight month old and I would not EVER even think of doing something so WRONG to her...babies are so innocent..they didn't ask to brought into this world..she should really sit in jail and think about what she did for LIFE!

Posted by: nulda Location: grovetown on Mar 18, 2008 at 08:56 PM
I pray that she can find forgiveness for herself in herself.God bless this young women and her pending court case.

Posted by: kim Location: georgia on Mar 18, 2008 at 07:22 PM
I am sure this was an accident. She truly loved her children. Therefore stop being judgemental and have some sympathy. This is not her only child, the others were well loved and taken care of. I'm sure she would have treated this child no different.

Posted by: Mom Location: Georgia on Mar 18, 2008 at 07:02 PM
Someone needs to beat her in the head! Definately should be sterilized!!!

Posted by: TONYA on Mar 18, 2008 at 06:55 PM
PEOPLE LIKE THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE KIDS IF THEY ARE GOING TO ABUSE OR KILL THEIR KIDS, THESE KIDS DON'T ASK TO BE HERE, IT IS THE MOTHERS RESPONSABILITY TO SEE TO IT THAT HER KID/KIDS ARE SAFE, WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE ANY MORE.SHE SHOULD BE HANGED UNTIL HER DEATH AS FOR EVERY OTHER CHILD ABUSER IN THIS WORLD.JAIL IS A WAY OUT FOR PEOPLE ANY MORE THEY ARE GETTING CLOTHED,FED, HOT SHOWERS AND A PLACE TO SLEEP, WHATS UP WITH THAT , I SAY LET THEM STARVE........... OR HANG THEM.

Posted by: brina Location: granitville on Mar 18, 2008 at 06:06 PM
She should get the same treatment,of all the people in the world who would love to have a child and try so hard to do so,this is a sad story.She deserves the harshest punishment that there is.

Posted by: my2sense Location: Augusta on Mar 18, 2008 at 05:23 PM
This is senseless and horrible. She looks like a baby herself. My sympathy goes out to the rest of her family, however, she needs to fry.

Posted by: john on Mar 18, 2008 at 04:47 PM
she should have her head bashed in...now, not punished in the form of jail.

Posted by: Charity Location: Georgia on Mar 18, 2008 at 04:42 PM
I would like to beat her head in.