Goldsboro police say a 1-year-old boy’s trip to two local hospitals with second-degree burns has ended in felony child abuse charges for two adults close to him.
Investigators and health-care providers said the infant was first brought to UNC Health Wayne on Tuesday, May 19, then transferred to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill for treatment at a pediatric burn clinic. Police say the man and woman connected to the child now face multiple felony child abuse counts. One is being held without bond, the other on a secured bond, and both are set to be in court on Monday, June 1.
According to WRAL, officers arrested 36-year-old Kenneth Russell and 25-year-old Jasmyne Pace on Friday after the child was taken to UNC Health Wayne on May 19. WRAL reports the boy was later transported to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill for specialized pediatric burn care, and that the child’s current condition was not immediately available. The outlet says police have charged both adults with several felony counts related to the injuries.
Pediatric Burn Care And Why Transfers Happen
Second-degree burns in infants are serious business, with risks that include infection, fluid loss and long-term scarring. Care often involves a full team of specialists. As UNC Health explains, dedicated pediatric burn centers provide intensive wound care, surgical treatment such as skin grafting when needed and rehabilitation services that are not always available at smaller facilities. That mix of services is often why young burn patients are moved from a community hospital to a major medical center.
Charges And Next Hearing
Per WRAL, Russell is charged with felony child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury, felony child abuse inflicting serious physical injury and felony child abuse gross negligence/serious bodily injury. He is being held without bond. Pace is charged with felony child abuse (gross negligence/serious bodily injury) and is being held on a $40,000 secured bond. WRAL reports that both are expected in court on Monday, June 1.
How To Reach Police And What To Do
Anyone with information that could help investigators is asked to contact Goldsboro Police Department’s non-emergency dispatch line, listed on the department’s website. For contact details and additional resources, visit the Goldsboro Police Department site. If a child or anyone else appears to be in immediate danger, call 911.
