2 Arrested After Child Reportedly Punched in Face, Left Duct-Taped to Chair Overnight

Wire Service
By Wire Service
March 31, 2019US News
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2 Arrested After Child Reportedly Punched in Face, Left Duct-Taped to Chair Overnight
Crime scene with police tape. (Mark Makela/Getty Images)

IREDELL COUNTY, North Carolina—Two people have been arrested after a 12-year-old boy was beaten and left duct-taped to a chair overnight, according to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.

Officials told WSOC they responded to a report of child abuse at a home on Peacock Hollar Road off Little Farm Road in Statesville on Wednesday, March 27.

The person who reported the alleged abuse had received text messages and images of a boy who was duct-taped to a chair in the home.

Investigators said they determined 71-year-old Frances Kay Campbell Miller held the boy’s hands behind his back while 20-year-old Dustin Webb Miller punched the child in the face. Deputies said the boy had an orbital fracture to his face.

Frances Campbell Miller and Dustin Miller
Frances Kay Campbell Miller and Dustin Webb Miller. (Iredell County Sheriff’s Office via CNN)

Authorities said Frances Miller then duct-taped the child to a chair and left him there overnight.

Officials said she is the child’s guardian, and Dustin Miller is the boy’s brother.

Channel 9’s Dave Faherty spoke with Dustin Miller outside the home and asked him about the allegations.

NTD Photo
The mugshot from Dustin Webb Miller. (Iredell County Sheriff’s Office via CNN)

“A lot of people took this out of proportion, blown it. Nobody wanted my side of the story, so here I am. I love my brother. I guess we’ll find out once this all gets sorted out,” Dustin Miller said.

“Did you ever duct-tape him?” Faherty asked.

“No, I did not,” Dustin Miller replied.

The Iredell County Department of Social Services was called to the home and took temporary custody of the victim as well as other children living there.

Frances Miller is charged with felony assault inflicting serious bodily injury, two counts of misdemeanor child abuse and misdemeanor false imprisonment.

Frances Kay Campbell Miller
The mugshot from Frances Kay Campbell Miller. (Iredell County Sheriff’s Office via CNN)

Dustin Miller is charged with felony assault inflicting serious bodily injury and misdemeanor simple assault.

They were booked into the Iredell County Detention Center and have since bonded out of jail.

How to Report Suspected Child Maltreatment

If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, contact your local child protective services office or law enforcement agency so officials can investigate and assess the situation. Most states have a number to call to report abuse or neglect.

To find out where to call, consult the State Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Numbers website.

The Childhelp organization can also provide crisis assistance and other counseling and referral services. Contact them at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453).

“Every year more than 3.6 million referrals are made to child protection agencies involving more than 6.6 million children (a referral can include multiple children),” according to Childhelp.

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