2 Arrested On Child Abuse Charges After Boy Duct Taped To Chair

STATESVILLE, NC — Two Iredell County residents have been arrested and charged on child abuse charges this week after authorities were tipped off that a 12-year-old boy had been duct taped to a chair and left overnight, Iredell County Sheriff’s Office said Friday.

A report was filed at the Sheriff’s Office Wednesday regarding allegations of the child abuse in the boy’s home located at 108 Peacock Hollar Road in Statesville in western Iredell County. The person told authorities that they had received text messages from a family member that included photos of the boy taped to the chair.

ICSO investigators immediately responded to the home to conduct a welfare check on the child. The boy, as well as other juveniles in the home, were taken into temporary custody by the Iredell County Department of Social Services.

According to ICSO, the suspects in this case were identified as Frances Kay Campbell Mill, 71, who is the boy’s guardian, and Dustin Webb Miller, 20, the boy’s brother.

“Detectives learned, Frances Miller held the child’s hands behind his back while Dustin Miller struck the child in the face with his fist,” ICSO said in a statement. “This assault resulted in the child having an orbital fracture to the face. Frances Miller also duct taped the child to a chair, where the child was left overnight.”

Frances Kay Campbell Miller was charged with felony assault inflicting serious bodily injury; two counts of misdemeanor child abuse; and misdemeanor false imprisonment. Her secured bond was set at $25,000.

Dustin Webb Miller was charged with felony assault inflicting serious bodily injury, and misdemeanor simple assault. His secured bond was sdt at $22,500.