A Knoxville woman was arrested earlier this week relating to the 2025 death of an infant.
Brigette Renard, 18, was charged with child endangerment – death, a Class B felony.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office says it received a call on November 15, 2025 at approximately 3:30 AM regarding a five-week old infant that was not breathing, unresponsive, and had no pulse. Emergency personnel were dispatched to the 1000 block of 110th Place in Knoxville and life-saving measures began. The baby was transported to a local hospital but was pronounced dead.
According to court records, Renard, the baby’s mother, initially told authorities that the child was sleeping in a bassinet but later admitted the baby was sleeping in bed with her and her paramour.
Authorities say Renard told a deputy the baby was breastfeeding when she fell asleep with the baby still latched. Renard then said she woke up with the child next to her, unresponsive.
Court documents say a bra with blood splatter worn by Renard was collected as evidence. DNA tests later provided “very strong support” that the blood belonged to the baby.
Officials say Renard had previous knowledge of the dangers of co-sleeping due to an infant in a separate incident that died while co-sleeping with Renard, who was the child’s mother.
A warrant for Renard’s arrest was issued on August 24, 2026 and she was taken into custody two days later.
Renard was transported to the Marion County Jail and was later freed after posting a $25,000 bond.
Renard has a preliminary hearing scheduled for September 3rd.
