Two Manderson residents facing charges following death of infant

Big Horn County Coroner’s Office is investigating the death of a two-month-old infant that occurred July 6; two Manderson individuals were arrested in correlation. 

According to an affidavit prepared by Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office Deputy and Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Task Force Special Agent Anthony Giles, DCI was notified of the suspicious, unattended death of an infant in Manderson around 10:10 a.m. July 6. Giles contacted the child’s mother, Destynie Study, at Three Rivers Health hospital in Basin shortly thereafter. 

Study relayed that she had last seen the child alive at approximately 1:30 a.m. that morning when she reportedly fed and changed him. Around 9:45 a.m., Study allegedly woke to her father, Travis Study, stating that the infant was unresponsive, and immediately took the lifeless child to the hospital. At 9:59 a.m., Study called 911 for assistance. 

Department of Family Services previously made welfare checks at the Study residence in Manderson for Destynie Study’s elder son, approximately 15 months old. Giles reported that in the past, DFS had determined the housing conditions were not suitable and required Destynie Study to stay in a motel until they improved. In April, DFS was denied access to the home, but witnessed the elder child’s condition and reported he was dirty but healthy. A second DFS visit in April followed concerns that Destynie Study was not receiving prenatal care or following recommendations with her high-risk pregnancy. The elder child was found in a soiled diaper and inadequate clothing for the cold weather. Travis and Destynie Study reportedly refused services and told DFS not to come back without a warrant. 

Come May, Destynie Study stopped at the DFS office in Greybull. Case worker C. Griffin reported the children were filthy and the family’s vehicle smelled of cat urine. The family was provided with clothes and hygiene products. Another DFS call came on May 21, with concern that the baby had lost 11% of his body weight. Destynie Study reportedly had not been attending medical appointments for the infant. DFS again visited the Study residence and was denied entry, advised by Travis Study to, “get the f-- off his property and never come back.”

While interacting with Destynie Study at the hospital July 6, Giles found her in poor hygiene; dirt was observed on her person and “an overwhelming smell of body odor, urine and feces was coming from her person.” The deceased infant was found in similarly poor hygiene, with an entirely saturated diaper with a small amount of feces; Giles reported a small, live insect moved across the diaper once removed from the body. Destynie Study made a cell phone call on speaker phone to Travis Study. Giles informed them the phone would have to be taken in for evidence, and they allegedly became resistant. Travis Study reportedly threatened any law enforcement that may arrive at his residence. 

A search warrant was granted to DCI for the Study property by Judge Bill Simpson; law enforcement executed it at around 3:30 p.m. July 6. The camper where Travis and Destynie Study and the two children resided was found in horrific condition. Dog and mouse feces was strewn throughout the camper. The trailer bathroom contained a 5-gallon bucket filled nearly to the top with human waste, the bathroom toilet also full and infested with insects. 

The only air movement law enforcement found was a small fan in Travis Study’s bedroom. A thermometer was placed in the camper by law enforcement, with a reading of 95ºF. No running water was available in the camper. 

The crib where the infant was last seen alive was found to be wet, smelling strongly of urine. Scattered debris and a soiled diaper were found under the crib’s pad. When law enforcement moved the crib, a liquid, supposedly urine, flowed from the support structure. 

Garbage bags were placed outside the camper, and among fresh refuse discarded by Travis Study, law enforcement found a comforter with a large amount of feces and urine on it, along with infant food. Marijuana, weighed with packaging at 21.3 grams, and methamphetamine paraphernalia, which tested positive for the drug, were also found in the home.  

During a post-Miranda interview with Giles, Travis Study admitted to, at times, being the sole custodian of the children.

Preliminary charging documents filed July 8 by Big Horn County Attorney Marcia Bean accuse Destynie Study of two misdemeanors; reckless endangering, which is punishable by up to one year in prison, a $750 fine or both; and endangering a child, which carries a maximum sentence of one year, fine of $1,000 or both. 

Travis Study may face a felony charge of child endangerment by exposure to methamphetamine, punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a fine up to $5,000. In the alternate, Travis Study may be charged with the same felony count, plus misdemeanor reckless endangering (max sentence one year, max fine $750), endangering a child (max sentence one year, max fine $1,000), and possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, in an amount less than three grams (max sentence one year, max fine $1,000). 

The current court schedule puts Travis Study’s preliminary hearing in Big Horn County Circuit Court 11 a.m. July 16. Destynie Study’s pretrial conference is set for Aug. 3 at 1:45 p.m. 

The elder child has been removed from the Studys’ custody. Donated items for the child may be dropped off at the DFS office in Greybull, 616 Second Avenue North. Baby hygiene products, 2T sized clothes and toys are needed.