On Tuesday, warrants for the arrest of Nicholas Stephenson and Diandra Fuhr-Farlow were delivered. A couple from North Carolina is accused of killing Riley, their 2-month-old baby.
Parents Nicholas Stephenson and Diandra Fuhr-Farlow are accused of the infant’s death.
A couple from North Carolina is accused of killing Riley, their 2-month-old baby. On Tuesday, warrants for the arrest of Nicholas Stephenson and Diandra Fuhr-Farlow were delivered. One warrant claims that they left their daughter gravely injured on purpose and negligently, which caused her to pass away. According to Geoff Sidoli of Mountain Child Advocacy Center, “on average, slightly over 70% of the time when a child dies from a homicide, it’s by the parents.”
Child abuse, according to Sidoli, is on the rise. “Abuse and neglect are less prevalent when the economy is doing well; conversely, when society and the economy are struggling, these statistics tend to rise. That’s what we’ve observed over the last two and a half years,” he remarked.
According to a second arrest warrant, Riley’s parents killed him recklessly and without regard for human life. The warrants also mention the infant’s numerous burns and fractured bones. In Buncombe County, we probably don’t see that many, though there has been an increase over the previous five to ten years or so, according to Sidoli. Authorities’ initial response to the couple’s residence is unknown. “Our abuse statistics have increased significantly on many occasions.
Also Read: Harry Fenn, a Jersey D-Day veteran, dies aged 97
There has been a 50–80% increase in sexual and physical abuse, according to Sidoli. Stephenson is accused of second-degree murder and careless child abuse that resulted in serious physical harm. Fuhr-Farlow is accused of felony child abuse that resulted in serious physical harm.
They are both still in custody. It’s not rare for there to have been other sorts of abuse before a fatality, according to Sidoli. Friday morning has been set aside for Riley’s autopsy.