Joseph (left) and Jodi Wilson.Photo: Surry County Sheriffs Office/Facebook(2)
A couple from North Carolina have been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the death of their adopted toddler son who died after an alleged series of “exorcisms,” according to multiple news outlets.
Joseph Wilson, 41, and Jodi Wilson, 38, both of Mount Airy, were taken into custody on Jan. 13 and are being held at the Surry County Detention Center under no bond, the Surry County Sheriff’s Office said in apress release.
“This is a tragic event that resulted in the death of a precious child way too soon,” Sheriff Steve C. Hiatt said in the press release. “Please remember the other siblings involved in this situation as well as the investigators who worked tirelessly on this case in your thoughts and prayers.”
The arrests stemmed from an investigation into the Jan. 9 death of their adopted son, 4-year-old Skyler Wilson, who authorities believe died from injuries related to abuse at the hands of his parents.
According toMount Airy News,the pair has two biological children and are foster parents to two other children. The children in their care were turned over to the Department of Social Services, the sheriff’s office said.
Earlier that day, Joseph allegedly received a text from Jodi in which she stated that she was having difficulty swaddling Skyler, the documents state, per the outlet. She allegedly also sent a photo of the boy, “wrapped in a sheet or a blanket face-down on the Wilsons' living room floor with duct tape attaching him to the floor.”
A former foster parent of Skyler and his brother told investigators that about a month prior to Skyler’s death, she filed a report with the Department of Social Services after being concerned for the children’s wellbeing, WFMY reports, citing the warrants.
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After the couple’s arrest, a search of their home reportedly turned up wrist and ankle restraints, along with cameras that apparently recorded prior abuse, multiple reports say.
The straps were allegedly used to restrain Skyler during a “swaddling” technique Jodi learned from Nancy Thomas, who describes herself as “professional therapeutic parent,” the documents state, according to Fox8.
Joseph and Jodi Wilson’s next court date has been set for Feb. 2. It is unclear they have entered pleas or retained an attorney to speak on their behalf.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
source: people.com
