BLYTHEWOOD – The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the death of twin boys found dead inside of a vehicle outside of a day care, The Sunshine House, on Highway 21 (Wilson Blvd.) in Blythewood.
The Richland County Coroner’s Office provided an update on their deaths at 12 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2.
According to coroner Naida Rutherford, the twin boys were only 20 months old.
Rutherford said the twins, Bryson and Brayden McDaniel, were believed to have been in the vehicle for nine-and-a-half hours before it arrived at the day care about 5:30 p.m., Wednesday afternoon, and 911 was called.
“We believe the boys were placed in the vehicle around 7:30 or 8 a.m.,” Rutherford said. “There were no physical signs of trauma or abuse,” she said.
According to Rutherford, the cause of death at this time is listed as “pending further studies.”
Rutherford does not believe the Sunshine House or staff was involved or complicit in any way in the boys’ deaths.
According to Rutherford, this is the first case of a child being left inside a vehicle this year in Richland County.
This deaths are being investigated by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office.
No further information has been released by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office. This story will be updated as information becomes available.