Mother Charged After Baby Found Decomposed in Apartment
A Milwaukee mother is facing serious charges after police discovered her 10-month-old daughter’s body in a cardboard box. The tragic incident happened on August 13, when a neighbor alerted authorities about a strong, foul odor coming from Shyanna Brothers’ home.
When police arrived, Brothers initially claimed the smell was due to spoiled food. However, upon entering the apartment, officers found her daughter, Rayne Taylor, inside a large cardboard box in a locked bedroom. Reports indicate that the box was surrounded by flies and maggots.
Brothers, 28, later told police that she was a victim of domestic violence and accused an unidentified man of forcing her to hide her child. Despite this, a criminal complaint reveals that Rayne’s body was in an advanced state of decomposition.
Autopsy results show that the infant suffered a skull fracture that is consistent with blunt force trauma, although the official cause of death is still under investigation. Brothers denied harming her daughter and claimed she had no control over the circumstances leading to the girl’s death.
Authorities noted inconsistencies in Brothers’ statements during the police interview. A neighbor mentioned never seeing Brothers with a baby and had observed her spending considerable time outside, even complaining about odors coming from her home in the past.
During a court appearance on August 17, Brothers’ defense attorney raised concerns about her mental health, leading to a doctor’s evaluation. As of now, no additional suspects are being investigated in connection with the case.
The Milwaukee Police Department has not released further comments, and it remains unclear whether Brothers has legal representation.
