October 19, 2009

Deputies arrested a man and a woman from Winston-Salem on Sunday in connection with the death of a 4-year-old boy who had been hospitalized with injuries.

James Columbus Morrison Jr., 36, faces one count of murder, and DebraLee Ann Matthews, 22, faces one count of felonious accessory to murder after the fact.

Morrison and Matthews had their first court appearances Monday afternoon and both agreed to be represented by a court-appointed attorney. Morrison was physically in the courtroom because he faces a murder charge; Matthews’ appearance was through a video feed.

Both live at the same address in Winston-Salem. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said the couple is engaged to be married.

Early Sunday morning, deputies responded to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center at the request of medical staff regarding life-threatening injuries to the 4-year-old boy.

The boy was taken to the hospital by Forsyth County EMS accompanied by Morrison and Matthews.

During the course of the investigation, the child died of injuries he had sustained, the sheriff’s office said.

According to sheriff’s office spokesman Brad Stanley, the autopsy on the child has not been completed. No cause of death has been announced.

Morrison and Matthews are being held without bond and are scheduled to appear in court Nov. 6 for a preliminary hearing.

The sheriff’s office said the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death is ongoing.

SOURCE:  http://www.myfox8.com/news/wghp-2-arrested-childs-death-091018,0,4814053.story?track=rss