CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — Family members are concerned about the Catawba County teenage girl who is locked up under a $500,000 bond.
They said Elizabeth Fowler is seven months pregnant and shouldn't be in a jail cell.
Janie Hundley showed Channel 9 the ultrasound photo of her daughter's baby taken days before she and her boyfriend, Daniel Rhoney, were arrested on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder.
"The only thing she cares about is this. This is my grandson Elijah James," Hundley said.
Rhoney is accused of shooting his own mother in the head after deputies said his pregnant girlfriend got into an argument with her and hit her.
"I couldn't believe it. My daughter wouldn't hurt anybody. She wouldn't hurt anybody. We spent our life taking care of our community," Hundley said.
Channel 9 arrived at the home where the shooting happened minutes after police got to the scene Wednesday afternoon.
Teenagers could be heard in the background describing what happened as police began their investigation.
"We don't know if she came down and fell off the steps," Fowler said at the scene.
Channel 9 reporter Dave Faherty asked, "Where did you find her exactly?"
"Right beside, she was right there beside the pavement and we pulled down there," Fowler said.
"I tried helping her up. I tried getting her up on it," said Rhoney.
"Did she say anything or nothing?" Faherty asked.
"No, she didn't. I tried getting her up on it and I couldn't haul her up," Rhoney said.
Sheriff deputies said the couple's story unraveled when they later were questioned from the hospital.
They said Sherri Rhoney had been shot in the head.
Investigators said she woke briefly, telling them the teenagers were responsible.
In court Friday, Channel 9 could see Fowler's mother mouth the words, "I love you," to her daughter.
Faherty asked why the young couple wasn't truthful when talking with Channel 9 and deputies at the home.
"My daughter was scared to death. Can you imagine 16 years old, pregnant, and your boyfriend just shot his mother," Janie Hundley said.
Hundley told Channel 9 she is praying not only for her daughter and her boyfriend, but also Sherri Rhoney.
Sheriff Coy Reid said Sherri Rhoney remains hospitalized at Carolinas Medical Center in serious condition.
WSOC
