Arrests Made in Case of Child Abuse and Sex Offense Cases

STATESVILLE, NC – On February 17, 2024, the Statesville Police Department responded to a call from Iredell Memorial Hospital concerning a 13-month-old child brought in unresponsively.  The child was transported to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for treatment.

Christopher Jose Torres, 26, from Statesville, who is the boyfriend of the child’s mother, reported finding the child unresponsive after a ride around Statesville with his daughters. However, the investigation by the Violent Crime Unit revealed inconsistencies in Torres' statement. Interviews with the child's mother indicated that she had left the child in Torres' care while she went to work. Torres claimed the child sustained injuries from a fall and being struck by a baby doll, but medical assessments at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center indicated intentional injuries, including two brain bleeds and bruising. Investigators determined that Torres' explanation did not align with the severity or nature of the child's injuries.

In the following days, investigators working on the case collected additional information. During this process, they learned of a sexual relationship between Torres, aged 21 at the time of the incident, and a juvenile who was 15 years old.  Investigators obtained warrants for 10 counts of Statutory Rape/Sex Offenses against Torres and contacted the Department of Social Services. Following this contact, the Department of Social Services secured a court order to assume custody of Torres' three juvenile daughters.

On March 5, 2024, Christopher Torres was apprehended by the United States Marshals Service Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force at a family member's residence in Davie County. Torres was transported to the Iredell County Jail and is held without bond due to the seriousness of the offenses. Additional charges for Felony Child Abuse were issued. Torres appeared before a judge on March 6, 2024, and received a $1,250,000.00 secured bond.

On March 7, 2024, the Department of Social Services conducted forensic interviews with Torres' daughters, uncovering crucial details about the incident. The interviews revealed that Birma Antonia Pabon, 52, from Statesville, and Tiffany Marie Roman, 28, also from Statesville, who are the child's grandmother and aunt respectively, had coached the children to provide false information. Warrants were issued for Birma Antonia Pabon and Tiffany Marie Roman for Felony Accessory After the Fact. Tiffany Marie Roman was apprehended by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Department on March 11, 2024, and was granted a $30,000 unsecured bond. Birma Antonia Pabon's whereabouts remain unknown.

The 13-month-old child has been discharged from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center but will require ongoing physical therapy.

The Statesville Police Department expresses gratitude to all agencies involved, including the United States Marshals Service Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force, Iredell County Department of Social Services, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center’s Child Abuse Team, Iredell County Sheriff’s Department, and the Davie County Sheriff’s Department, for their collaboration and support.

The investigation into this matter is currently ongoing, and it remains a possibility that additional charges may be brought forth upon the conclusion of the investigation.