Charges for two men in the 2015 disappearance of an Anderson County infant have been dismissed in a preliminary hearing. In a media release, Anderson County Sheriff Chad McBride said a new magistrate Wednesday dismissed the case for two defendants saying there was insufficient probable cause to move forward with prosecution.
McBride said he inherited the case in 2017 when he took office and disagreed with the ruling. McBride said deputies will continue to seek additional evidence that would lead to the prosecution and conviction of those responsible.
One year old, Leonna Wright went missing from the Edgewood Square apartment complex in Pendleton Leonna went missing in June of 2015.
The complete statement by Anderson County Sheriff Chad McBride appears below.
Leonna Wright Case
Anderson, SC (15 December 2021, 4:20 p.m. EDT) – On December 15, 2021 the case regarding Leonna Wright was dismissed in a preliminary hearing.
Although the Magistrate that issued the arrest warrants for the two defendants originally found probable cause to charge them, a different Magistrate that oversaw the proceeding today found that there was insufficient probable cause to move forward.
While I disagree with today’s ruling, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office is committed to seeking justice for Baby Leonna Wright. Our Detectives continue to investigate this incident in hopes to find additional evidence that would lead to the prosecution and conviction of those responsible.
When I inherited this case in 2017, I was determined to bring to justice those responsible for Baby Leonna. I am thankful for all of the Detectives that have been involved in this investigation, and am grateful for all of their hard work, effort, and countless manhours spent working on this case. I am confident they will continue their relentless pursuit for justice.
Sheriff Chad McBride