IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — An Iredell County couple is facing charges after deputies found a 10-month-old baby with cigarette lighter burns and bite marks, investigators said.
The Iredell County Sheriff's Office was called to a home on Powder Horn Road in southern Iredell County on July 23 for a welfare check on an infant. Concerned family members called the sheriff's office saying they noticed bruises and other unexplained markings on the child's body.
Deputies saw several bruises and injuries to the child, who was taken to Iredell Memorial Hospital. Doctors determined the injuries were caused by physical abuse and the child was transferred to Brenner's Children's Hospital in Winston-Salem for further evaluation.
Staff at the children's hospital said the baby's injuries were caused by intentional physical abuse, saying the injuries were consistent with cigarette lighter burns and bite marks.
The child's parents, Martavious Levar Smith and Shalisa Monaie Lowe, were arrested on July 27, and charged with felony child abuse intentionally causing serious bodily injury. Smith and Lowe remain in jail as of Tuesday afternoon.
The investigation remains active. Anyone with information is asked to call the Iredell County Sheriff's Office and Iredell County Department of Social Services.
Note: WCNC instituted a policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.
WCNC Charlotte is showing the mugshots of the suspects in this case due to the serious nature of the charges.