By Holly Fesperman Lee

Salisbury Post

A Salisbury woman was arrested Thursday in connection with the Nov. 30 death of her infant son.

Shannon Elizabeth Anderson, 22, of 6125 Faith Road is charged with second degree murder in the death of 26-day-old Matthew Gabriel Brown, according to Rowan County Sheriff George Wilhelm.

Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Anderson’s home at 8:10 a.m. on Nov. 30 after they received a 911 call from Anderson and the baby’s father, Brian Lafon Brown, that their child was unresponsive, according to Wilhelm.

First responders from Rockwell Rural Fire Department and Rowan County EMS gave first aid and CPR on the scene and continued CPR as EMS transported the child to Rowan Regional Medical Center.

At 8:52 a.m., Rowan Regional staff confirmed that the infant was dead on arrival.

The child’s body was sent to the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy, and the Sheriff’s Department started an investigation.

“Apparently she was asleep on the couch with the child,” Wilhelm said.

Information from the medical examiner’s office along with support from the district attorney led to murder charges against Anderson, according to Wilhelm.

“You shouldn’t go to sleep on the couch with your child. Everyone should know that could cause death,” Wilhelm said.

This isn’t the first time one of Anderson’s children has died.

Anderson and Brown’s 34-day-old daughter, Krista Rose Brown, died Dec. 20, 2004, at Rowan Regional Medical Center.

“We’re reviewing that case too,” Wilhelm said.

Anderson is in the Rowan County Detention Center under $300,000 bond. Her first appearance in court is set for Monday.

Contact Holly Lee at 704-797-7683 or hlee@salisburypost.com.