How Could You? Hall of Shame-Darryl Martinez Lowry case-Child Death UPDATED
This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.
From Modoc, South Carolina, foster child, Darryl Martinez Lowry, 13, “was stabbed during a fight and then held underwater until he drowned.”
“Two teenage foster children living in the home of McCormick County Council Chairman Bernie Hamby have been charged in the killing of a 13-year-old temporary foster child , [Darryl]”
“The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) charged 17-year-old Landen Austin Moore with murder of Daryl Martinez Lowry on Monday. A 16-year-old was also arrested in connection with the killing and was transported to the S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice.”
“The McCormick County Sheriff’s Office released a mugshot Wednesday of the suspect with a warrant describing Moore as 6’2″ tall and 180 pounds. Meanwhile, the victim was listed as 5’2” tall and approximately 125 pounds.”
“According to an arrest warrant, the two teens were involved in a physical altercation with Lowry at a boat dock on Beauregard Drive in Modoc during the early morning hours of July 20.
Investigators allege the fight left Lowry with knife lacerations before Moore and the 16-year-old “unlawfully, intentionally, and with malice aforethought” killed him by holding him underwater until he died.
SLED said Moore was booked into the McCormick County Detention Center. The case will be prosecuted by the S.C. Attorney General’s Office.”
“Authorities said Lowry, who was from Chester County, had only recently been placed in Hamby’s home as a temporary foster child while awaiting another placement. Hamby was asleep inside the residence when the killing occurred earlier Monday morning, according to authorities.
Lowry’s body was discovered Monday at the residential dock on Clarks Hill Lake, also known as J. Strom Thurmond Lake, at Hamby’s property in the Modoc Shores community.
Lowry’s body was transported for an autopsy to determine the official cause and manner of death.”
“Hamby, a longtime McCormick County councilman who serves as council chairman, is known in the community for fostering children. Authorities have not indicated that Hamby is suspected of any wrongdoing.
The McCormick County Sheriff’s Office requested the SLED investigation. The investigation remains active, and additional charges or information could be released as the case continues.
Just over a month before his death, Lowry was the subject of a missing child investigation in Chester County.”
[The Augusta Press 7/22/26 by GREG RICKABAUGH]
REFORM Puzzle Piece
Update:“nvestigators say Daryl Lowry was stabbed and drowned at a boat dock connected to Bernie Hamby’s home. His family hired attorney Tyler Bailey, who says they want answers and accountability.
“I think it goes without saying a death occurring at nighttime at a lake with minor children who are arrested for a murder and the individual was not present supervising them where he could see them, have his eyes on them,” Attorney Tyler Bailey said. “I think that goes without saying that there’s some allegations of neglect at the bare minimum.”
“State agents arrested 17-year-old Landen Moore and a 16-year-old in connection with Lowry’s death. Officials say the three teens were living at the home.
A community activist from outside McCormick County says Hamby should resign.
“The councilman took a role to accept children in his home to help DHS, the Department of Social Services,” Community Activist Jack Logan. “But once he stepped into that role, he became a parent for those children that he accepted.”
Logan says Hamby should step down before the investigation is complete.
“If I was in that position, I would have to resign,” he added. “There’s no way I could be mentally competent to continue serving the people in McCormick and overseeing my colleagues on that McCormick County Council.”
Logan says his concerns are about accountability, not politics.
“It’s not about race to me. It’s about criminal activity,” he added. “A crime was committed by the 17-year-old, the other juvenile, and as well as this councilman.”
Logan is calling on county leaders and the Attorney General’s Office to act.
We spoke with people off camera. Some want Hamby to step down. Others say it was not his fault.
NewsChannel 6 reached out to Hamby but did not hear back.
DSS says it cannot comment on any child involved but is working with law enforcement.
“Daryl did not deserve this,” he shared.
Hamby has not been charged in connection with Lowry’s death.”
Attorney, activist demand answers after death of 13-year-old McCormick County foster child
[WJBF 8/3/26]
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