Two people are facing charges after a 911 call and beach videos prompted police to allege that a young girl was repeatedly dunked under the water beneath the Sunset Beach Pier. The case has shaken the small Brunswick County community and triggered a joint law-enforcement and child-welfare probe that investigators say is still very much underway.
Incident Beneath the Pier
According to the Tampa Free Press, Sunset Beach officers opened an investigation after a 911 caller reported seeing a man hold a child upside down and dunk her head beneath the surf on April 3 between about 6:33 p.m. and 6:44 p.m. The outlet reports that the girl’s face was forced under the water against her will while she screamed and cried.
Who Was Charged
Police identified the two adults as Christopher Maurice Lee, of Longs, South Carolina, and Lesley Suzanne McClam, of Calabash. Both were charged with one count of misdemeanor child abuse, WWAY reports. Investigators say the evidence was presented to Brunswick County Magistrate John Adams, and that the North Carolina Department of Social Services is working with the Sunset Beach Police Department on a joint inquiry.
Witnesses and Video
Beachgoers described a disturbing scene that some estimated lasted roughly ten minutes, according to Public Radio East. Witness accounts say the man repeatedly held the girl upside down by her legs and plunged her head into the surf while onlookers yelled for him to stop. Bystanders’ videos of the encounter quickly spread across social media as the story gained traction beyond the island.
Charges, Court Dates and What Comes Next
Officials say both defendants face one count of misdemeanor child abuse, which is classed in North Carolina as a Class A1 misdemeanor, and that the case remains active, per the Tampa Free Press. State filings reviewed by N+ Univision indicate that Lee was arrested and released on a $1,000 bond and is scheduled to return to court on May 27, while McClam is due in court on May 15.
Police Ask Witnesses To Call
Investigators are urging anyone who saw the incident or who has additional information to contact Detective Sergeant Miloszar at (910) 880-8512, WWAY reports. Authorities emphasize that the investigation is ongoing and say they continue to coordinate with state child-welfare officials to safeguard the child involved.
