On Monday, the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office received information from the Department of Social Services regarding a 7-week-old infant that had been brought to Vidant Duplin Hospital by his parents. Medical staff had found injuries on the infant that could not be explained by the parents. Detectives found the child was suffering from multiple severe injuries including bone fractures, head trauma and extensive bruising to his body.
The infant’s parents, 18-year-old Malik Hall and 19-year-old Janasia Hutcherson, both of the Kenansville area, were identified as the suspects in the case. According to the sheriff’s office, the investigation excluded any other person from having caused the injuries to the child, however neither parent admitted to causing the injuries either intentionally or accidentally.
Hall and Hutcherson were both charged with one count of Felony Child Abuse. They were placed into the Duplin County Jail with their bonds set at $100,000 secured.
The investigation continues.
