LYNCHBURG, Va. — A Lynchburg woman previously charged in connection with the death of her 5-month-old child is now facing a new and more severe charge of felony homicide, authorities confirmed Thursday.
Endia Walker, 23, was formally served with the new charge under Virginia Code 18.2-33, which applies when a death occurs during the commission of a felony that is not classified as murder. The charge follows an earlier set of felony child neglect allegations connected to the infant’s death.
Walker was initially arrested on April 3 at approximately 10:30 a.m., nearly a week after the infant was found unresponsive. At that time, she was charged with two counts of felony child neglect under Virginia Code 40.1–103 and one count of felony child neglect resulting in serious injury under Code 18.2–371.1.
Emergency personnel responded to a call on March 26 at around 4:32 p.m. in the 600 block of Leesville Road, where they found the child unresponsive. Lynchburg Fire Department medics began life-saving measures immediately, and the infant was transported to Lynchburg General Hospital. The child was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Investigation remains active as authorities expand charges
“This is an active investigation,” the Lynchburg Police Department stated in a press release, adding that further details would be released as the case progresses.
The nature of the serious injury involved in the child neglect charge has not been publicly disclosed, and officials have not indicated whether the results of a medical examiner’s report contributed to the felony homicide charge.
Authorities have not released the name of the deceased infant. Walker remains in custody, and court proceedings are pending.
The death and subsequent charges have drawn public attention in Lynchburg, where police have asked the community for patience while investigators continue to gather evidence.
An unresponsive infant was found at a Lynchburg home in March, and now the child’s mother faces felony homicide charges.