Mom, grandma blame ‘spirits’ for toddlers’ serious injuries, police say

A mother and grandmother told police their toddlers were hurt by paranormal activity. But police in Catawba County said the children were hurt when the two women put their hands on them — and worse.

The grand jury in Catawba County indicted the mother and daughter on felony child abuse charges involving the 1-year-old and 2-year-old. The indictments describe some of the toddlers’ injuries as burns, bite marks, and broken bones.

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Both Emily Edwards and her mother, Sherrie Edwards, have been indicted on two counts of felony negligent child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury. According to court documents, the two live along West C Street in Newton.

The indictment says the allegations stem from last December. They mention a “reckless disregard for life” and “serious bodily injury.”

Newton Police Chief Vidal Sipe said when police questioned both the mother and grandmother, the pair spoke about paranormal activity inside their apartment leading to the injuries.

“The basic response was nightmares. They heard the kids yelling and they’d go over there and see injuries on the kids,” Sipe said. “And they said there were spirits in the house at the time that caused the injuries.”

Sipe said the family also claimed to have an Ouija board used to conjure spirits. But the court documents say the mother and grandmother didn’t report extensive skin injuries and bruising on the toddlers.

Testing on the children also came back positive for fentanyl.

“I said ‘Hello’ and they’d say, ‘How are you doing.’ They were friendly to me,” said Steven Katz, who lives next door.

But another neighbor isn’t buying the Edwards’ version of what happened.

“I think that’s crazy. I just think it’s a cover-up,” the neighbor said. “I don’t believe there’s any paranormal activity here.”

The police chief said there was possibly a third person involved but that man died earlier this year.

Both the mother and grandmother remain in jail.

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