South Carolina Trooper and Wife Arrested in Death of 4-Year-Old Oconee County Boy

South Carolina Trooper and Wife Arrested in Death of 4-Year-Old Oconee County Boy

Authorities investigate after tragic incident; former trooper terminated from Highway Patrol

OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. — Destiny Shay Dionne and Joshua Emanuel Latimer have been arrested in connection with the death of a 4-year-old boy in Oconee County on Friday, multiple sources confirmed.

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announced that Latimer, a Lance Corporal with the Highway Patrol since 2017, was terminated on September 19 following his arrest. “Any questions regarding the criminal investigation should be directed to SLED,” the department said.

According to Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis, emergency services were called to a home on Forest Acres Circle near Walhalla early Friday morning after the child was found in cardiac arrest around 6:20 a.m. Due to the circumstances, SLED’s Special Victims Unit and the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office joined the investigation.

Jail records indicate both Dionne and Latimer face charges of unlawful neglect of a child. Coroner Addis confirmed that an autopsy on the boy is scheduled for Monday. Authorities have stated that charges may be upgraded depending on the findings.

The community is reeling from the tragic incident, and law enforcement emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing. Officials are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward. Additional updates will be reported as they are confirmed.