A 34-year-old woman in North Carolina is facing serious criminal charges after authorities say her 10-month-old son died from multiple stab wounds in a case that has shaken a local community.
Emergency responders were dispatched to a home in Barnardsville on Thursday afternoon following a distress call reporting a critically injured infant. According to the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, deputies arrived alongside firefighters and emergency medical personnel shortly after 2 p.m., where they discovered the child suffering from severe injuries.
The infant, identified as Enoch Chappell, was rushed to Mission Hospital in Asheville for emergency treatment. Despite efforts to save him, he was later pronounced dead.
Law enforcement officials have charged Ciara Frederick with first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the child’s death. Investigators have not disclosed additional details about what led to the incident or whether others were present inside the home at the time.
Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller addressed the tragedy in a statement, saying, “Our hearts and thoughts are with everyone impacted by this tragedy.” He added, “Members of the Barnardsville Fire Department and Buncombe County EMS did everything they could to save this child’s life, and for that we are grateful. Our hearts are broken.”
Authorities confirmed that the child’s father resides at the same address, though it remains unclear if he was home when the incident occurred.
The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to piece together the circumstances surrounding the fatal attack.
Barnardsville, where the incident took place, is a small unincorporated community located roughly 20 miles north of Asheville.
