Across South Carolina

Legislature requests extension on ID law

COLUMBIA --- The South Carolina House is calling on the governor to ask the federal government for more time to comply with new national driver's license standards.

The House approved a resolution Thursday asking Gov. Mark Sanford to apply for an extension to deal with the federal Real ID act of 2005.

South Carolina is among four states that have yet to seek an extension. The deadline for making the request is March 31.

Without an extension, South Carolinians wouldn't be able to use their state driver's licenses to board a plane or enter a federal building after May 11.

Mother charged in death of infant son

CHARLESTON --- A 21-year-old mother has been charged with homicide by child abuse in the death of her infant son, and prosecutors say they will re-examine the death of the woman's daughter and a miscarriage.

Melissa McKinney told investigators she found her 5-month-old son unresponsive, face down under her chest after the two slept in the same bed at their Johns Island home Monday, according to a sworn statement from police.

The child died the next day in the hospital.

Authorities told The (Charleston) Post and Courier that two other children of Ms. McKinney have died -- a 16-day-old daughter killed in similar circumstances in 2005 and a miscarriage when she was about five months pregnant in 2006.

-- Associated Press