The Tupelo Police Department said in a Facebook post on Sept. 21, 2026, that on Sept. 18, 2026, officers responded to a report of an unresponsive infant at 1500 McCullough Blvd., the Super 7 Inn in Tupelo. The infant was transported by ambulance to North Mississippi Medical Center and was later pronounced dead.
The post identified Daniel Ross, 37, of Plantersville, and Charity Burdine, 33, of Tupelo, as being charged with felony child abuse.
The department said Tupelo Municipal Court Judge Allen ordered Ross and Burdine held without bond on Sept. 18, 2026. The post described the matter as an active and ongoing case, said further charges could be pending, and said the charges will be presented to the Lee County Grand Jury.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
