Babysitter back in Spartanburg County jail after failed drug test

Katie Wheeler Harris is back in the Spartanburg County jail after testing positive for a prohibited substance.

The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Harris failed a drug test mandated by her home detention contract. Officials stated that a judge will now determine how she will complete the remaining portion of her sentence.

Harris originally pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in 2016. That plea related to the death of Everly Dickard, a three-month-old infant whom Harris was watching. Deputies at the time reported that the baby suffered non-accidental head trauma while in Harris’ care. The child died ten days after the incident.

When police first investigated, Harris told them the baby had fallen from a swing. She later said she had lied about the cause of the injury. Her attorney maintained before the guilty plea that Harris was not guilty as charged.

Law enforcement initially charged Harris with felony child abuse. They later raised the charge to homicide by child abuse. Harris accepted a plea deal for voluntary manslaughter instead. The court sentenced her to 30 years, suspended that time to 10 years in prison, and ordered home detention and probation after her release.