Hallsboro, NC – On March 9, 2020, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) was contacted concerning a 14-month-old Columbus County child that was a patient at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington. The child was receiving medical treatment for major trauma. An Investigator with Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division and a Social Worker from the Columbus County Department of Social Services (DSS) traveled to New Hanover Regional Medical Center to begin an investigation.
Upon arrival, the CCSO Investigator and DSS Social Worker met with medical staff for a briefing on the severity of the child’s injuries. Both of the child’s arms and legs were broken, the child sustained extensive bruising about the child’s body and extreme head trauma, resulting in extensive brain injuries. The child was flown to UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill. At Chapel Hill, the child underwent multiple surgeries in an attempt to save its life.
During the investigation, CCSO and DSS conducted interviews with every member of the household where the incident occurred. On the evening of March 9th, CCSO Criminal Investigation Division executed two (2) search warrants at 5640 Sam Potts Highway and 5642 Sam Potts Highway in Hallsboro. CCSO Investigators seized several pieces of evidence pertinent to this investigation.
According to the Sheriff’s Office report, Henry Kendrell Robinson, 27, was at the residence located at 5642 Sam Potts Highway at the time of the search. Robinson was found to be in the possession of a stolen firearm. He was arrested and charged with Possession of a Stolen Firearm and received a $5,000.00 secured bond.
At the conclusion of the investigation, evidence indicated that Jeanne Spaulding, 48 of Bladenboro; Kayla Michelle Evers, 26 of Hallsboro; and Parker Delane Spaulding, 24 of Hallsboro were in the residence and responsible for the care/supervision of the child, at the time of the incident. These individuals willfully committed and/or grossly, negligently omitted acts resulting in the extensive trauma to the 14-month-old child, by applying extreme physical pressure to the child’s body, according to the Sheriff’s report.
“The child did survive the horrific injuries but has suffered permanent, debilitating injuries that will alter its life forever,” the Sheriff’s Office stated.
On April 29th, Jeanne Spaulding, Kayla Michelle Evers, and Parker Delane Spaulding were arrested and charged with felony Negligent Child Abuse with Serious Bodily Injury. They were processed at the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Center where they were all held on a $250,000.00 bond. Jeanne Spaulding was not photographed at the time of her arrest, due to a medical incident preventing same.
Sheriff Greene and the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division would like to thank the District Attorney’s Office for their assistance and guidance during this investigation. Sheriff Greene said he would also like to thank Columbus County Department of Social Services for their assistance during this investigation. The collaboration between these three agencies ensured that this investigation moved swiftly and accurately.
The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office stated, “Please keep this precious child in your prayers, as the child will now have many lifetime obstacles to overcome. This child is a fighter and has shown strength unparalleled to anything we have ever witnessed before.”
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