SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SC (January 7, 2014) – Earlier this morning deputies responded to a report of a woman and three small children walking along New Cut Road near Euclid Road. Upon arrival deputies found three small children who were not dressed appropriately for the 10 degree temperature alone along the roadway. The mother was seen running away from the children toward a Lil’ Cricket Store. During the investigation of this incident deputies had EMS respond and transport all three children to the hospital to be checked. The woman who was identified as the children’s mother, Raqheal Sterling, was taken into custody. While inside the transporting deputy’s patrol vehicle Ms. Sterling kicked out a window of the patrol vehicle. Ms. Sterling was transported to the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center where she was served with the arrest warrants. The three children were checked by medical personnel at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center and found to be in good health. All three children have been placed into the custody of the South Carolina Department of Social Services. The investigation into this incident is ongoing as Investigators attempt to determine the reasoning for the actions of Ms. Sterling toward her children this morning.
The children are all girls and are 4 years old, 3 years old and 5 months old.
