LEXINGTON, NC (LOOTPRESS) – Three individuals face charges after a nine year old girl was discovered to have been left outside in a dog kennel for an extended period.
Five children, including the nine year old girl, were found to be living at the residence, and all juveniles have been subsequently removed from the home.
Reports from the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office detail the incident in full, and can be seen below.
“On Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at approximately 6:50 a.m. the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office received a call directly from a citizen. The citizen, who wished to remain anonymous reported that a juvenile child, approximately 9-10 years of age, was locked in a dog kennel overnight at 160 Cress Rd, Lexington, NC 27272.
Deputies with the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office immediately responded to the residence and confirmed this report and located a 9-year-old child locked in a dog kennel, which was secured with a padlock.
Deputies forced entry into the dog kennel and rushed the child to EMS personnel who arrived on the scene to assist. Due to the exigent circumstances Deputies then forced entry into the residence.
Inside Deputies located one adult female, later identified as Sarah Starr, and two other children inside the residence. These children were also taken to EMS personnel on the scene but had no obvious injuries.
Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene and contacted Davidson County Social Services who also responded to the scene.
The residence was secured and a search warrant was obtained and executed on the property. During this search representatives of the Davidson County District Attorney’s Office traveled to the scene to view the conditions of the residence.
Following an extensive investigation, Detectives with the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jonathan Star and Sarah Star for Felony Child Abuse, Misdemeanor Child Abuse, and False Imprisonment.
Detectives also later arrested Shelly Barnes for Felony Child Abuse, Misdemeanor Child Abuse, False Imprisonment, Possession of Firearm by Felon, and Maintaining a Dwelling Place for Controlled Substances.
Jonathan Starr, Sarah Starr, and Shelley Barnes were transported to the Davidson County Magistrate’s Office where they were formally charged. Jonathan and Sarah Star were both placed under a $30,000 secured bond. Shelley Barnes was placed under a $60,000 secured bond.
All three are scheduled to appear in district court in Lexington on November 10th, 2022, and were released to the custody of the Davidson County Jail without incident.
The 9-year-old child was transported to Brenner’s Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem for evaluation and was later released on the same date. Davidson County Social Services has taken protective custody of all three children found at the residence, and two other children who live at the residence who were found safe at school.
Although arrests have been made in this incident, this is an ongoing and active investigation.
The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Davidson County EMS, Davidson County Social Services, Davidson County District Attorney’s Office, Southmont Fire Department, and The Dragon Fly House Children’s Advocacy Center for their assistance in this investigation.
On Thursday, October 20, 2022 Jonathan Starr, Sarah Starr and Shelley Barnes went to District Court for first appearance where their bond was increased. ***** Jonathan Starr and Sarah Starr’s bond were increased from $30,000 secured to $100,000 secured. Shelley Barnes’ bond was increased from $60,000 to $300.000.”
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