WHITEVILLE — A Columbus County jury has convicted Parker Delane Spaulding in a child‑abuse case that began more than six years ago, when a 14‑month‑old Hallsboro child was rushed to the hospital with catastrophic injuries that doctors described as “life‑altering.”
The guilty verdict — intentional child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury — was delivered Thursday after a multi‑day trial in Columbus County Superior Court. Judge J. Greg Bell sentenced Spaulding to 133–185 months in state prison.
A 2020 emergency call that launched a major investigation
The case traces back to March 9, 2020, when the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office was contacted about a toddler receiving emergency treatment at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Investigators and a DSS social worker traveled to Wilmington and were briefed on the child’s condition.
What they learned stunned even veteran officers.
According to investigative records:
- Both arms and both legs were broken
- The child had extensive bruising across the body
- The child suffered extreme head trauma
- Doctors documented severe brain injuries consistent with violent force
The child was airlifted to UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill, where surgeons performed multiple procedures in an effort to save the child’s life. The child survived, but the injuries left permanent, debilitating damage that will affect the child forever.
Search warrants, interviews, and early arrests
That same night, CCSO investigators executed two search warrants at 5640 and 5642 Sam Potts Highway in Hallsboro. Evidence was seized from both locations.
During the search, deputies encountered Henry Kendrell Robinson, 27, who was found with a stolen firearm. He was arrested and charged separately with possession of a stolen firearm.
After interviewing every adult connected to the home, investigators concluded that three people were responsible for the child’s care at the time of the injuries:
- Jeanne Spaulding, 48
- Kayla Michelle Evers, 26
- Parker Delane Spaulding, 24
Detectives determined the child’s injuries were caused by extreme physical pressure applied to the toddler’s body — not an accident, not a fall, and not a medical anomaly.
On April 29, 2020, all three were arrested and charged with felony negligent child abuse with serious bodily injury. Each received a $250,000 secured bond.
The case moves slowly — but the evidence never changed
Over the next several years, the case moved through the court system. Evers later entered an Alford plea in 2025. Jeanne Spaulding still faces pending charges.
But prosecutors continued preparing the most serious case — the one against Parker Spaulding, who was accused of directly inflicting the injuries.
The 2026 trial: medical experts and investigators take the stand
During this week’s trial, jurors heard testimony from:
- Pediatric trauma specialists
- UNC neurosurgeons
- DSS investigators
- CCSO detectives
- First responders who saw the child’s condition firsthand
Medical experts testified that the injuries were inflicted, not accidental, and required significant force.
Investigators testified that Spaulding’s explanations were inconsistent with the child’s injuries and with the physical evidence collected during the 2020 search warrants.
The verdict and sentencing
Jurors deliberated before returning a guilty verdict on the most serious charge available under North Carolina law.
Judge Bell imposed a 12–15 year sentence, citing:
- The child’s lifelong injuries
- The severity of the trauma
- The breach of trust by an adult responsible for the child’s care
A child who survived the unthinkable
The child — now several years older — continues to require long‑term medical care. DSS officials say the child has shown “remarkable strength” despite permanent disabilities.
Sheriff’s Office: ‘This child is a fighter’
In the original 2020 release, Sheriff Jody Greene praised the collaboration between CCSO, DSS, and the District Attorney’s Office, saying the agencies worked “swiftly and accurately” to protect the child and build the case.
“This child is a fighter,” the release said. “The strength shown is unparalleled to anything we have ever witnessed.”
Additional charges still pending
Spaulding still faces separate felony sex‑offense charges involving an adolescent girl — allegations that surfaced while he was out on bond. That case has not yet gone to trial.
All individuals listed are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Charges and case statuses may change as investigations and court proceedings continue.
© 2026 BCDollarSaver.com. All rights reserved.
Be the first to comment