KINSTON, NC – A 3-year-old boy with autism is in protective care after police say he endured severe physical abuse at the hands of his father, while his father’s partner failed to intervene in their Kinston home.
The situation came to light Thursday when authorities responded to a call at a residence on Manning Street. According to investigators, the catalyst for the police response was a dispute involving Amy Gauthier, 40, and her juvenile son over a cellphone. The confrontation led to the discovery of video evidence capturing the violence against the young child.
Upon arrival, officers were shown disturbing footage recorded on the phone. The video allegedly showed the boy’s father, Joshua Stockton, 37, forcibly restraining and assaulting the child during a diaper change. According to court records, Stockton used his full body weight to pin his son, covered the toddler’s mouth and nose to muffle his cries, and struck the child’s face with significant force—all actions while the child struggled and attempted to scream.
Authorities say the extent of the abuse was evident not only in the footage but also in the child’s injuries. Visible marks and bruises covered his face, neck, and legs, and ligature marks suggested that he had been strangled. Investigators described methods used to confine the boy to his room, including boarding up the top half of a doorway and using a locking gate at the bottom to prevent escape.
The victim, who has developmental disabilities, was described by officials as having been outweighed by several hundred pounds by his father, rendering any resistance futile. The 3-year-old’s vulnerability and inability to defend himself deepened concerns among child welfare workers.
Amy Gauthier was charged with felony and misdemeanor aiding and abetting for her role in allowing the abuse to occur. Stockton faces multiple counts, including felony assault, child abuse, assault by strangulation, and exposing a child to fire, all with a minor present.
The swift actions of an older sibling in preserving and presenting video evidence played a critical role in the case, according to authorities. The North Carolina Department of Social Services removed all five children from the household following the investigation, placing them in protective custody.
Both Stockton and Gauthier were arrested at the scene. Stockton is being held in the Lenoir County jail under a $1 million bond, while Gauthier’s bond was set at $100,000. After their initial court appearances on Friday, both are scheduled to return before a judge on January 30.
The relationship between the children and the two adults remains unclear as the investigation continues. No information has been released about the condition of the 3-year-old boy, who is now under the care and supervision of social services as authorities work to ensure his safety and recovery.