Grimesland man charged with statutory rape; victim's mother charged as accessory

A Grimesland man has been charged with sex crimes alleged by a child in his care and the victim's mother was also charged for failing to report the abuse at the pair's home.

The Pitt County Sheriff's Office said in May their agency received multiple notices from Child Protective Services regarding alleged abuse. The investigation determined a juvenile child disclosed incidents of sexual abuse by Matthew Steven Mills, 34, of 7396 Pitt St., Grimesland.

The sheriff's office said Mills was "in a parental role of the child" when the abuse took place.

The sheriff's office said the victim's mother, Katherine Hinson, 40, of 7396 Pitt St., Grimesland, was aware of the abuse and failed to intervene or report it to authorities.

Warrants for Hinson's arrest said the offenses occurred from December 2023- May 2024.

Mills was arrested Sunday and charged with statutory rape of a child less than or equal to 15 years old and statutory sex offense with child less than or equal to 15 years old. He was booked into the Pitt County Detention Center without bond.

Hinson was arrested the same day and charged with felony accessory after the fact. She was booked into the detention center under a $50,000 secured bond.