Davidson Parents Charged With Felony Child Abuse

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Two Davidson parents were arrested after doctors evaluated their 12-month-old child with severe bodily injuries, including life-threatening dehydration, diarrhea, and fractured bones.

The child’s parents, Julia Shimko and Nicholas James, were charged with felony child abuse. Doctors at Levine’s Children Hospital advised the parents that their child had diarrhea for six days prior to being seen.

Medical reports said that the child had a bruised head, protruding ribs, abrasions on her genitals and a sour smell.

Officials said the child received no medical care since she was four months old. At her four-month checkup, she weighed 12 pounds. Eight months later, she weighed just 14 pounds.

The living space for the child at home was also unsafe, according to the medical staff, as the child’s bassinet had a hole in it. There was also a hole at the top of the bassinet cover caused by an older sibling using the father’s unsecured machete while the child was inside.

Authorities determined that Shimko and James allegedly gave contradicting statements regarding the timeline for the child’s care and nutritional intake.

The child is fortunate to have received medical treatment, as further delay could have resulted in death or a severe brain injury.