Authorities in Kinston say a 2-year-old’s broken arm has led to felony child-abuse charges against both of the child’s parents, who are now behind bars at the Lenoir County jail. Detectives report that medical staff treating the toddler found not only a fresh fracture, but signs of an older one, prompting a deeper look at what happened inside the home.
Investigation And Arrests
According to investigators, the case began on January 30, when the Lenoir County Department of Social Services filed a report about a 2-year-old who had been taken for medical treatment. In a summary of the case, the department said medical staff discovered the child had a broken arm and noted “evidence of an older fracture” during the examination, triggering concerns serious enough to call in detectives.
Detectives consulted the Lenoir County district attorney’s office and, after that review, sought warrants for both parents. Officers served those warrants on Friday and transported 28-year-old Joshua Capps and 26-year-old Shianne Godley to the Lenoir County jail, according to a Facebook post by the Kinston Police Department.
Charges And Legal Context
Capps and Godley are each charged with felony child abuse inflicting serious physical injury. Under North Carolina law, that offense covers situations where a child suffers a physical injury that causes great pain and suffering, with penalties that can climb depending on the severity of the harm and how prosecutors decide to frame the case. The statute laying out those felony child-abuse categories is N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-318.4.
Next Steps And Resources
The Kinston police statement did not provide information on bond, first court appearances, or other immediate court scheduling, and related court records were not yet available. Authorities are still encouraging anyone with concerns about child safety to reach out to local officials. The Lenoir County official website lists contact information for the Department of Social Services reporting line and the Kinston Police Department for those who need to report suspected abuse or request assistance.
