HUDSON, North Carolina — A 22-year-old babysitter accused of felony child abuse will likely face more serious charges due to the child dying while hospitalized, according to investigators in North Carolina.
The 4-year-old was assaulted Tuesday, November 4, and died two days later, Hudson police said in a news release.
“The Hudson Police Department responded to a residence on Hickman Avenue where an assault involving a 4-year-old took place,” police said.
“Officers determined that the juvenile had sustained serious injuries allegedly inflicted by an adult who had been entrusted with babysitting the child. The victim was initially transported to a local hospital and later transferred to a regional trauma center for advanced medical treatment.”
The child died around 2:30 a.m. Thursday, November 6, police said.
Details of the child’s injuries were not released.
“Thomas Lee Bryant was arrested and charged with felony child abuse inflicting serious injury,” police said. “The investigation remains active and additional charges are forthcoming as detectives continue to gather evidence.”
Bryant was identified as the boyfriend of the child’s mother by WSOC.
Hudson is about a 70-mile drive northwest from uptown Charlotte.
By MARK PRICE/Charlotte Observer
Mark Price is a National Reporter for McClatchy News. He joined the network of newspapers in 1991 at The Charlotte Observer, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology.
