The Roanoke Rapids Police Department charged a couple Wednesday with felony child abuse and obstruction of justice in a case where a 4-year-old child sustained an arm injury from handling a weapon that was left within his reach.
Chief Bobby Martin said the obstruction charges against 30-year-old Roanoke Rapids resident Torey Richardson and 25-year-old Christlimiahan Hauter of Henderson, who is the child’s mother, reflect the pair “had enough time before they took the child to hospital to get rid of the gun. This shows a blatant disregard for the child’s health and livelihood.”
The child was taken to Greenville for further treatment and remains in stable condition.
The shooting occurred around 2:45 p.m. in the T-Mobile parking lot off Premier Boulevard.
Officers learned a female was screaming and pulled a child from a vehicle. Other witnesses told officers they could see blood but were not sure what had occurred.
A man came out of the cellular store and drove the woman and child away.
Officers discovered bloody clothing in the parking lot and learned the vehicle was headed to ECU North.
Officers at the hospital talked with Richardson and Hauter. They learned the child sustained a gunshot wound to the left arm.
Both received $25,000 bonds and October 27 court dates.
Martin said neither people charged had concealed weapon permits and Richardson has been charged and convicted of carrying a concealed weapon in the past, Martin said.
Martin said weapons in vehicles should be stored under lock and key and out of the reach of children just as they should be kept out of reach from them in the home.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the police department at 252-533-2810 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.