Deputies: Man, mom charged in connection to abuse of toddler and his 9-year-old sibling

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — A man and a woman have been charged in connection with the abuse of a 2-year-old child, according to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said they responded to a call from people who were concerned about the well-being of a child. The callers said they saw the child with injuries to his face.

Investigators contacted the Department of Social Services and the 2-year-old and his 9-year-old sibling were both ultimately removed from the home on Mocksville Road. Detectives said they were able to detail a number of incidents in which both children were abused.

Authorities said the boyfriend of the children’s mother, 27-year-old William Joseph Elliot Jr., had allegedly been abusing and torturing the two children.

Deputies said the children’s injuries are non-life-threatening, though their lives won’t be the same.

“I did not expect that,” neighbor Jacob Webb said. “A couple undercovers pulled up and we’re talking to Junior and then after that was when he got arrested.”

The children’s mother, 25-year-old Patricia Leigh Hall, was charged for knowing about the abuse, failing to intervene and not reporting it to DSS or law enforcement, according to authorities.

Deputies said Elliot and Hall were taken into custody Friday. Elliot is being held under a $500,000 bond on charges of felony child abuse, misdemeanor child abuse and assault on a child under 12.

“We know that there are lifelong effects from child abuse, so we want to make sure that we see these kids as soon as possible,” said Shawn Edman with Prevent Child Abuse Rowan.

Edman said his agency has seen a significant increase in child abuse cases in the last three months.

More children are back in school, surrounded by more adults. He said the people who speak up are the unspoken heroes.

“This is a life or death situation, so we could potentially be saving a child’s life,” Edman said.

Officials said Hall is being held under a $50,000 bond on several counts of misdemeanor child abuse and failing to report a crime against a juvenile.

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