Mother’s assault on toddler caught on tape during jail visit

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. – Rowan County Sheriff’s detectives have conducted an investigation into an alleged assault involving a young child. The incident occurred during a video visit with an inmate at the Rowan County Detention Center Annex.

Deputies reviewed jail surveillance video of the alleged assault. The video showed 29-year-old, Katelyn Russell joined by her 2-year-old son, while participating in a video visit with an inmate. No other members of the public were present in the lobby at the time of the visit.

The video shows Russell becoming upset with the child and striking him in the back of the head, causing him to fall to the floor. Russell proceeded to pick up the child and left the lobby and moving out of the view of the camera.

Deputies conducted a welfare check on the 2-year-old and determined that he had not sustained any visible injuries. Based on the video evidence, detectives charged Russell with one count of misdemeanor child abuse.

As a part of the investigation, the Rowan County Department of Social Services was notified. Russell was arrested and issued a $3,000 secured bond.