Baby starved to death in Lakeland home

November 5, 3:14 AMTampa Crime ExaminerCharisse Van Horn

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A five month old baby was pronounced dead on Sunday, November 1, 2009. On Monday, November 2, 2009, her mother, 25 year old Tivasha Logan and her 27 year old boyfriend, Chauncey Gardner were arrested and now face felony murder and child abuse charges. It is believed that the two starved little 5 month old Chauntasia Gardner to death.

Deputies arrived at the couple’s home on 2710 Sunshine Drive North in Lakeland, Florida after a distress call was made. Little Chauntasia was not breathing and paramedics, as well as police, arrived on the scene at approximately 6:02 a.m. Chauntasia Gardner was pronounced dead at 6:11 a.m. There were a total of six children living in the home, including Chauntasia. The couple share four children together, Chauntasia, 2 and 3 year old daughters, and a son who is four. In addition to the couple’s four children, Tivasha Logan had two older children: a daughter 6 and a son 10.

The other children in the home showed no signs of malnutrition, deputies said. When their refrigerator was searched, deputies reported that the refrigerators, as well as cupboards , were well stocked with food and drinks. There was however, very little formula in the refrigerator for the baby. No additional formula was located in the home for the baby either.

According to reports, Chauntasia was premature and weighed 2lbs. 11 ounces upon her birth on May 11, 2009. Since Chauntasia was premature she remained in the Lakeland Regional Medical Center until her release on July 29, 2009. At that point, Chauntasia weighed 7 lbs. 8 ounces. At the time of her death, according to an autopsy report, Chauntasia weighed 6 pounds. Her parents failed to take her to a physician after her initial release from Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

Upon questioning, both parents stated to deputies that they fed Chauntasia 2 ounces of formula every 3 to 3 ½ hours. Instead of making the formula by mixing equal parts of water and formula, they said that they mixed 1 ½ ounces of water to ½ ounce of formula. According to the parents’ admission to deputies they were not feeding Chauntasia enough formula, nor were they preparing it correctly, but diluting it with too much water. Pediatricians expect babies to double their weight by the time they reach six months old. Chauntasia should have been nearing 15 pounds by November 11, 2009. Instead she lost weight from the time of her birth and weighed a meager 6 pounds.

Both Tivasha Logan and Chauncey Gardner are currently in the Polk County jail being held without bond.