Child Killer Gleason May Face More Charges

Blue-eyed, curly-haired 5 year old Soren Victoria Chilson lived just south of Charlotte on a well known local cut though between busy Lancaster Highway 521 and Highway 200.

The rental home on Craig Farm Road where Soren lived with her mother April Victoria Snipes and her mother's boyfriend Phillip Bryan Gleason 27, appeared unkempt and in poor condition even for rural Lancaster County late Wednesday afternoon. No one was home, despite one car in the driveway.

The house where Soren Chilson lived with her mother

Snipes had separated from Soren's father Jermey Chilson in April of 2012 and moved into the home shortly afterward. Soren's father Jermey Chilson passed away in December of last year.
According to the Rock Hill Herald, Gleason called 911 just before 1 a.m. on Tuesday to report a problem with Soren. When deputies arrived, they found the girl unresponsive in the bathroom. Paramedics took her to Springs Memorial Hospital, where she died.

Springs Memorial Hospital is just a few miles from the home. A number of hospital employees where on duty when the young child "coded" shortly after arrival at the hospital.

Lancaster is a close knit community and Soren's death is hard for even the most seasoned hospital staff to deal with.

Police questioned Gleason, who was left alone with Soren while her mother went to work. By Tuesday evening, they had charged him with homicide by child abuse.

Preliminary autopsy results show that Soren apparently died from blunt force trauma to the head. Lancaster County Sheriff Barry Faile would not say what kind of head injuries Soren suffered or what object might have been used. He would not discuss whether more arrests or charges are pending.

But Cedar Posts has learned there may be more charges filed. Sources at Springs Memorial Hospital report that hospital staff voiced concerns that the child showed "signs or indications" of sexual abuse. Charges against Soren's mother April Snipes may also be considered if evidence shows she has knowledge of the abuse.

Phillip Bryan Gleason

On Wednesday, he appeared before a magistrate in a Lancaster County courtroom, where bond was denied. Homicide by child abuse is a felony that, upon conviction, carries a penalty of 20 years to life in prison.

Soren’s funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Antioch Baptist Church in Lancaster. A burial will follow in the church cemetery.