Dashun Malik Canty
Courtesy of the Sumter Police Department

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) – Sumter Police Department says a 23-year-old man is in custody after his toddler dies of the suspected injury officer. On Sunday, authorities said the child’s mother abandoned the 11-week-old baby with his father Dashun Malik Canty and went to an appointment. When she came back, investigators said they found the child to be unresponsive but alive. Police say the mother took the baby to Prisma Health Tuomey before it was taken to a Columbia hospital, where the family learned he had died.

According to the Sumter County Coroner Office, the baby suffered a head injury that it believes is suspicious. Investigators say an autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.

Police say Canty has been charged with child molestation as well as homicide for disregard of family court on an unrelated matter. Police say he was taken into custody Monday and booked at the Sumter County Sheriff’s Detention Center.

The investigation is still ongoing.