Jadalyn Barton, one, was taken to a North Carolina hospital ‘covered in bruises’ and later died – her parents Jonathan Blake Barton, 17, and Sarah Hardin, 25, have been arrested
Jadalyn Barton, one, was taken to a North Carolina hospital unresponsive and ‘covered in bruises’ before she was pronounced dead.
Her teen dad, Jonathan Blake Barton, hit the little girl with his “fist, belt and/or switch” over a period of three months, causing extensive bruising over her body, according to an arrest warrant.
The 17-year-old has been charged with first-degree murder and felony child abuse inflicting serious injury.
Her mum Sarah Hardin, 25, is also facing child abuse charges,
Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said: “This is such a troubling case that no one would want to imagine.
“The condition of this innocent infant is unspeakable and was really difficult for our investigators.
“As the investigation continues all I can do is ask for the county to pray.”
A GoFundMe page was set up to raise money for Jadalyn’s funeral costs, but has since been deleted.
It read: “Jadalyn passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 9, 2019. This is an unthinkable tragedy.
“She leaves behind many relatives and friends to cherish her memory.
“Although our family is heartbroken, we know that heaven rejoiced to receive our precious Jadalynn.”
Roger Hunt, who lives near the family in the Shannon community, is still in disbelief.
He told “I often wondered because they were just so quiet, they just kept to themselves and I said to myself, ‘Well they are good neighbors.
“A person that keeps to themselves is a good neighbor.’ But I was floored, knocked down when I found out about this.”
Hardin is being held in the Robeson County Detention Center under a $1.5 million bond.
Barton, whose next court appearance is on July 26, was booked into the Robeson County Detention Center with a $3 million bond.
The little girl’s relatives said in a statement: “Our family is heartbroken about this terrible tragedy. We were devastated to learn that both parents had been arrested in connection to Jadalyn’s death.“Our grief cannot be put into words. We recognize that the focus of the current investigation of both parents is on the circumstances surrounding Jadalyn’s death.
“We understand that the evidence supports charging both parents (one minor and one adult) in this case. We have faith that the criminal justice system will prevail and justice will be served.
“As a family, we have spent countless hours grieving this loss. There will never be a day that we are not grieving for Jadalyn”
