Police: Stepfather, Mother Arrested In Child Abuse Case

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — Smithfield police have charged a couple with felony child abuse following a welfare check at their home on March 27.

Officers responded to a residence on Sturgeon Street belonging to 36-year-old Samson Adeoti and 31-year-old Rokhaya Lamar Adeoti.

According to arrest warrants, the alleged abuse involved two children, ages 10 and 12. Investigators said the stepfather, Samson Adeoti, and the biological mother, Rokhaya Adeoti, were arrested following an investigation.

Both were charged March 29 with two counts of felony child abuse and one count of felony conspiracy.

According to authorities and court documents the alleged abuse included bruising, pushing a child into a vase, striking a child in the head with a mop handle, and hitting a child with a belt buckle that caused a laceration, which had already scabbed over.

The Johnston County Department of Social Services assisted in the case, and the children were placed in the custody of a family member.