Joshua Stockton and Amy Gauthier face serious child abuse charges in Kinston, North Carolina, following the discovery of graphic video evidence showing Stockton assaulting his 3-year-old autistic son. Authorities acted after Gauthier’s older juvenile son reported the abuse during a dispute over a cellphone, leading to the removal of five children from their care by the Department of Social Services.
Incident Details
The abuse occurred at a home on the 400 block of Manning Street in Kinston, a city about 70 miles from the Atlantic Coast. Police responded on January 15, 2026, around 6:35 p.m., where the juvenile showed officers video of Stockton restraining, slamming, and striking the toddler during a diaper change, causing bruising to the face, neck, and legs, plus strangulation marks. Stockton reportedly locked the child in a room using plywood and a gate.
Charges Filed
Stockton, 37, faces four counts of assault with a deadly weapon with a minor present, child abuse, exposing a child to fire, assault by strangulation, and felony assault on an individual with a disability. Gauthier, 40, is charged with three felony counts and five misdemeanor counts of aiding and abetting the abuse.
Arrest and Custody
Both were arrested immediately, with Stockton held on a $1 million bond and Gauthier on $100,000 in Lenoir County Jail. They appeared in court on Friday and are due back on January 30, 2026. Authorities commended the reporting juvenile for his courage.
