https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/south-carolina/2019/04/13/imhotep-osiris-norman-greenville-spartanburg-sc/3456838002/A Spartanburg man was charged with homicide by child abuse after troopers found a 1-year-old in the back of a charred vehicle that he abandoned after leading the S.C. Highway Patrol on a chase, according to authorities.
Imhotep Osiris Norman, 26, of Foxborough Road, was booked into the Spartanburg County Detention Center early Saturday morning. The Coroner's Office identified the victim as a 1-year-old Xena Rah'Lah Norman, of Foxborough Road in Spartanburg.
"The family has been notified and I ask that the community pray for the mother and family of this baby," Coroner Rusty Clevenger said in a statement to media.
A trooper tried to initiate a traffic stop around 10:20 p.m. Friday when a car was speeding 22 miles over the 45 mph limit near State 14 and Concourse Way in Greenville County, the Highway Patrol said.
The driver of the vehicle did not stop and continued onto Interstate 85 northbound, Capt. Kelley Hughes said.
Troopers noticed sparks and smoke coming from the undercarriage of the car that then turned into flames, the Highway Patrol. Troopers advised dispatchers to notify the local fire department.
During the pursuit, Norman threw a large bag out of his vehicle that was later found and contained illegal drugs, Hughes said.
Norman's vehicle became completely engulfed in flames as the vehicle approached the 60 mile marker and slowed down to around 30 mph, Hughes said.
Troopers got into position to perform a rolling road block, but Norman fled on foot as his vehicle rolled to a stop.
The Fire Department arrived and extinguished the vehicle fire. Troopers then discovered a body in the back seat of the vehicle.
Norman left the "juvenile victim behind which led to her death," according to an arrest warrant.
SLED was called in to investigate.
A K-9 unit was called to assist in finding the driver but was unsuccessful. Norman was later found and arrested.
He is a resident of Spartanburg, according to online jail records and his arrest warrant.
