Child abuse charges filed in two separate incidents

By: Donna Swicegood | Mooresville Tribune
Published: March 17, 2009

Two different women face charges for assaulting their young children.

Melissa Rose Williams was arrested on a charge of misdemeanor child abuse after a relative reported seeing bruises on her 4-year-old son.

Detective Sgt. Bill Hamby of the Iredell County Sheriff's Office Special Victim's Unit said a relative reported seeing numerous bruises on the child's face, back, arms and legs. Hamby said they spoke with Williams, as well as the child and the relative.

Williams told deputies that she hit the boy because he was not obeying her and was telling lies. The little boy said he asked for some ice cream and his mother said no.

Deputy Nathan Speaks said he did see bruises on the child

In the second case, the mother is accused of putting out a cigarette on her 5-year-old's nose.

Jennifer Lytton of Statesville was arrested at her home early Tuesday afternoon, and in addition to the assault charge, may now family animal cruelty charges as well.

Hamby said the girl told a teacher at her school that her mother put a cigarette out on her nose, burning her nose.

The teacher noticed the mark on the girl's nose and asked her how it happened, and that's when she told about the cigarette.

Hamby began an investigation and took out the warrant on Lytton. The sheriff's office warrant squad went out to look for Lytton Tuesday morning but she wasn't located.

On Tuesday afternoon, Warrant Squad Deputy Chris Snow went back out to the residence, and knocked on the door, but didn't get an answer. Neighbors told Snow he needed to check on the condition of some dogs in the back yard, Hamby said.

Snow checked on the dogs, and found one dog skeleton with a collar attached and two emaciated dogs in the yard, Hamby said. Snow called the Iredell County Animal Services and an officer came and took possession of the two dogs and the skeleton.

Hamby said a warrant was obtained to make sure no other animals were in the house, and after going into the house, found Lytton hiding in a closet. A bag of marijuana was also found, he said.

Lytton was arrested on the original assault warrant and then cited for the marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Hamby said animal control officers are now investigating the treatment of the dogs and more charges could be pending.