Man and woman arrested, charged with child abuse after 1-year-old treated with second-degree burns

Authorities arrested a man and a woman who are accused of child abuse after a 1-year-old boy was taken to the hospital with second-degree burns.

2026-05-29

Police arrested Kenneth Russell, 36, and Jasmyne Pace, 25, on Friday. Their arrests came as officers said the boy was taken to UNC Health Wayne for treatment on Tuesday, May 19, for burns on his body. Officers said he was later transported to UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill for further treatment at a pediatric burn clinic. His current condition is unknown.

Both Russell and Pace face several felony charges.

Russell is charged with felony child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury, felony child abuse inflicting serious physical injury and felony child abuse gross negligence/serious bodily injury. He is being held without bond.

Payce is charged with felony child abuse, gross negligence/serious bodily injury. She is being held on a $40,000 secured bond.

Both are expected in court on Monday, June 1.