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Daniel Crowder and Diane Crowder are pictured in Swain County Superior Court last week.
Staff reports
A man and his wife, former Swain County residents who now live in Caldwell County, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, May 11 to neglect and child abuse charges stemming from severe injuries inflicted on a four-year-old boy in their care, District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch said.
Daniel Lucas Crowder, 42, and Diane Lowery Crowder, 42, each pleaded guilty in Swain County Superior Court to three criminal charges: felony child abuse by negligently failing to seek medical treatment and that failure resulted in serious bodily injury and two counts misdemeanor child abuse.
Judge Peter Knight handed down identical sentences. He ordered the Crowders to each serve active terms in the state Division of Adult Corrections of 25 months minimum to 42 months maximum, the most allowed for that charge under state law.
He consolidated the misdemeanor child abuse charges for the purposes of sentencing, ordering an additional 75 days active time in Swain County’s jail upon release from state prison.
The plea and sentencing bring closure to the 2016 case. An investigation started after the child was admitted to Mission Hospital in critical condition.
A search warrant was issued for the Crowders’ residence on Sam Davis Road and executed in April, 2016, where there were five other children at the residence and officers reported finding were signs of abuse and neglect.
The couple were arrested in June 2016, initially charged with felony child abuse and six counts misdemeanor child abuse.
The child suffered permanent brain damage and, because of a spinal-cord injury, now has difficulty walking.
The Crowders were not the biological parents, but at that time, they were the primary caregivers.
In three months, between a visit to a health clinic with the biological father and the subsequent stay in the Crowders home, the child dropped from 58 pounds to 38 pounds. According to the doctor’s notes, he was an “alert, smiling, active and playful” child while at the health clinic.
Now aged 10, the child has since been adopted. He continues to receive counseling, treatment and regular assessments.
Assistant district attorneys Chris Matheson and Kimberly Harris prosecuted the case. Swain County detectives conducted the investigation.
Following the sentencing, Swain County Sheriff released the following statement, “We are dedicated in protecting those who are most vulnerable and bringing to justice those that may harm these children. If you know of any child abuse or neglect, please report it to this office or to DSS.”