Korresha Crawford, age 11, was beaten to death by her 17-year-old sister Cylena, who also assaulted their 13-year-old brother Michael. Two other siblings, ages 11 and 9, were unharmed. The children’s father, Lawrence Crawford, was home at the time. Crawford, a Pentecostal minister, homeschooled the children while his wife Sylvia worked two jobs. However, Cylena was frequently left as the primary caregiver for her siblings.
In 2004, Crawford was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Korresha. Cylena, who was admitted to a mental health facility after the assault, was charged with murder and aggravated assault and battery. Sylvia Crawford was charged with neglect.
Date: January 25, 2001
Location: Elgin, South Carolina
| Documents: | Date: |
| Teen-ager charged with killing sister | 02-02-2001 |
| Teens as caretakers of siblings questioned | 02-03-2001 |
| Teenager faces charges in death of sister, 11 | 02-04-2001 |
| Across the area | 02-25-2001 |
| Father charged with murder in child’s beating death | 02-25-2001 |
