Most parents in North Carolina strive to create a safe and healthy environment for their children. However, on occasion, a parent or a recognized adult guardian finds themselves accused of horrible crimes against the child. One couple in Gastonia are now facing several sex crimes charges with regard to a child, and each is likely considering individual options for mounting an effective criminal defense.
The incident and arrests
News reports do not provide a lot of detail regarding how the accusations came about, but a report was apparently made to Gaston County Child Protective Services following a report of abuse to a social worker. As a result, a man and a woman were each arrested on multiple sex crime charges.
The man, aged 36, faces charges including two felony counts of indecent liberties with a child, one felony charge of first-degree statutory rape and one felony count of a sex act by a substitute parent on a child. The woman, 32, was charged with first-degree rape of a child, a felony, one count of indecent liberties with a child and one count child abuse by sexual act, both felonies, as well as one felony charge of incest. Both individuals are being held on a $500,000 bond in Gaston County Jail.
Right to defense
Despite these charges, each individual remains innocent in the eyes of the law unless and until convicted beyond a reasonable doubt in court. As such, they will want to work closely with an experienced criminal defense attorney in North Carolina for assistance in mounting an effective criminal defense. A lawyer will analyze all aspects of the initial sexual abuse report along with any and all evidence prosecutors plan to use in order to obtain the best possible outcome for the client.