Parents of a child who was 2-two-months at the time the infant was reportedly assaulted in 2017 have been charged with negligent child abuse resulting in serious physical injuries.

Chief Deputy Scott Hall of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office declined comment on how the child was injured or the number or types of injuries the child sustained.

He said in a statement the child continues to receive care at a long-term nursing care facility which specializes in infant and toddler care.

Hall said this afternoon it was not immediately clear how long the child was reportedly abused before the report was filed although he did confirm the child sustained multiple injuries over an unspecified period of time.

North Carolina General Statutes describe the crime as inflicting serious injury or assaulting a child to the point of serious injury.

In the statement Hall said in July of last year the sheriff’s office received a report of a child who was transported to Vidant Medical Center’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit due to life threatening injuries.

After continuous investigation and the review of many medical records, Detective Sergeant L.E.  Mann obtained warrants for the child’s biological parents.

A photo of Martin was not available according to the sheriff's office.

Quentin Hughes, 25, of Halifax, and Ashley Martin, 26, of Weldon, each posted secured bonds and await October 17 court dates.

Shots fired

Hall reported on the morning of September 26 around 1:30 deputies responded to a call of shots fired into a vehicle parked in the cemetery near Dogwood Park Apartments in Weldon.  

The two victims were sitting inside a vehicle when they were approached by three people described as black males wearing masks.  

One suspect was described as wearing a Jason mask and a blue hooded sweatshirt or jacket.  The other two suspects were described as wearing a skeleton mask and a white mask and dark clothing.  

One suspect was said to have injuries after attempting to shoot one of the victims.  The victim struggled with the suspect over the gun when the suspect shot himself in the lower portion of his body.

Hall said investigators believe this was a robbery attempt.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Mann at 252-583-8201 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.            

Skid loader larceny

On Monday Detective Matt Brown began investigating a larceny which occurred on Interstate 95.

A skid loader was hooked to a trailer and taken, Hall said.

Brown, with assistance of Virginia State Police and agents of the auto theft division located the heavy machinery in a rural area of Chesapeake, Virginia.

Brown Charged Theodore Edward Ballard, 47, of Virginia Beach, with felony larceny and felony possession of stolen goods.

Ballard was arrested today with assistance of Virginia State Police and is awaiting extradition back to North Carolina.