Watauga Co. couple pleads guilty after accusations of incest and locking young children up with no food, water or toilet

WATAUGA CO., N.C. – A man and woman from Watauga County have pleaded guilty to child abuse. Investigators say 30-year-old James Braswell and 30-year-old Kayla Miller committed “multiple disturbing crimes” of child abuse and neglect.

Warrants allege Braswell committed incest with a child under the age of 13. Both are accused of locking young children in a room without food, water, and access to a toilet. Both ended up pleading guilty to three counts of felony child abuse. Braswell also pleaded guilty to one count of first degree statutory rape and one count of indecent liberties with a child.

Braswell will spend between 22 and 33 years in prion. Miller was given probation but will spend three to six years in prison if it is revoked.