Sheriff Darren Campbell stated on September 30, 2015 the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office received a report from Rowan Regional Hospital that a two month child had been brought to their facility with serious injuries. The hospital reported that the child was emaciated and had bruises and marks on her face consistent with abuse, and was being transferred to Brenner’s Hospital in Winston Salem. The case was assigned to Detective Sergeant Amy Dyson of the Special Victim’s Unit. Detective Dyson identified and interviewed several witnesses and as a result of the investigation, Samuel Brian Hancock, 26, and Arlena Ritchie, 19, of Fox Run Drive, Statesville were both charged with one count each of Child Abuse-Willful Act or Omission Causing Serious Physical Injury. The Iredell County Department of Social Services is also investigating and has taken custody of the infant as well as another child. Hancock and Ritchie were taken to the Iredell County Jail where they are both being held in lieu of a $200,000.00 bond.
Further medical tests have revealed that in addition to severe malnutrition, the child also had several hairline rib fractures. The fractures are believed to have occurred in Cabarrus County and will be investigated there.
The infant is responding well to treatment and has been released from the hospital. She is now in the care and custody of the Department of Social Services pending their investigation.