Murder charged in death of child

 

(Updated Sept. 28, 4:40 p.m.)      

Carver faces murder charge,
was caretaker for child who died

A local man is facing a murder charge for his alleged involvement in the death of his girlfriend’s child last week, according to Sheriff Chris Bowman.

On Friday, September 23, 2016, at approximately 10:30 a.m., the Alexander County 911 Office received an emergency call in reference to 17-month-old Camden Hudson, who supposedly had fallen off of a couch, according to caretaker Justin Lon Carver.

EMS was dispatched to a residence on NC Hwy. 16 South, the home of a grandparent of Hudson. EMS arrived on the scene and felt the injuries did not match the call and reported it to the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office. The child was taken by EMS to Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory.

Detectives went to the residence on NC Hwy 16 S and spoke to the homeowner. The homeowner stated the incident occurred at a residence on Will Wilson Lane that was owned by Justin Carver.

Carver had brought the child to the residence on Hwy. 16 South, which is the home of a grandparent of Hudson. Then Carver called 911.

The residence at Will Wilson Lane was secured, awaiting a search warrant. Detectives went to Catawba Valley Medical Center and interviewed the mother of the child as well as Justin Carver, said Bowman.

A copy of the search warrant, obtained by The Times, states as probable cause that the child had broken ribs, bite marks, and severe head trauma. Detectives were told by the caretaker (Carver) that the child was being watched by a 3-year-old while Carver was in the shower.

The following items were seized at the Will Wilson Lane home: blind, baby blanket, diaper, wipe with red substance, and green vegetable material.

Bowman noted that Carver is not the biological father of the child, but is the mother’s boyfriend.

The child was taken by medical helicopter to Brenner’s Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem.  Detectives noted bruising on the child and the child was not responsive. The detectives talked to the medical staff and determined that the injuries appeared to be child abuse. DSS was also notified. It was determined that Carver was the only caretaker of the child at the time of the incident.

Carver was arrested last week and charged with felony child abuse and placed under a $500,000 secured bond. His first court appearance on that charge was September 26. Attorney Kimberly Taylor was appointed to represent Carver on that charge.

Detectives checked on the baby all weekend. The injuries proved to be life threatening, and the child was on life support for some time. On Monday, September 26, at approximately 4:15 p.m., the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office was notified by Brenner’s Children’s Hospital that the child, Hudson, was going to be taken off of life support. The Sheriff’s Office was notified again about 4:36 p.m. that the child was deceased.

Shortly after the child died, warrants for first degree murder were issued on Justin Lon Carver, age 25 of Taylorsville. His first appearance on this charge was Wednesday, September 28, in Alexander County District Court. Carver is being held in the Alexander County Detention Center without bond. An attorney will be appointed to represent Carver by the Capital Defender’s Office.

An autopsy on the child was being performed on Tuesday, Sept. 27, at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem.

This investigation is continuing, said Bowman.