Parents charged with murder of 16-month-old child

Lucas Shayne Scronce, 34, and Jennifer Denise Clay, 41, both of the same Short Road address in Newton, were arrested and charged with murder in connection with the death of their 16-month-old child, Ivy Clay. Scronce and Clay are the child’s biological parents.

On February 7, Catawba County Sheriff’s officers went to the suspects’ residence after receiving reports that the child was unresponsive. When officers arrived, they found Ivy Clay dead.

An investigation was launched and on February 9, Scronce was arrested and charged with trafficking opium. The charge was based on narcotics found during the investigation at the crime scene at the Short Road residence in Newton.

An autopsy report was released on June 18. The cause of death was listed as fentanyl toxicity and the manner of death as homicide. Sheriff’s investigators believe Ivy Clay took fentanyl in the family home.

Scronce and Clay were taken to the Catawba County Detention Center where they are being held without bail. Scronce was set at $300,000 bail on the human trafficking charge. Both suspects will have their first appearance in District Court in Newton on July 2.