Uploaded January 2011 | Updated September 2026, 6 hours ago
Johnston County authorities say a 4-year-old is in critical condition at UNC Hospitals after being tortured.
The girl was taken to the Johnston Memorial Hospital then airlifted to UNC early Friday evening, because she was suffering from cuts, bite marks, lacerations and abrasions that covered her entire body.
Authorities say there were also signs of sexual assault.
Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell says it is one of the worst cases of child torture that he's ever witnessed.
Deputies arrested 21-year-old Jonathan Douglas Richardson after he took the girl to Johnston Memorial Hospital.
Authorities say he told them that the girl fell out of bed.
Bizzell tells ABC11 Eyewitness News that the girl was living with Richardson and her mother in an outbuilding/barn on Richardson's grandparent's property just east of Smithfield in Brogden Community.
Johnston County authorities say a 4-year-old is in critical condition at UNC Hospitals after being tortured.
The girl was taken to the Johnston Memorial Hospital then airlifted to UNC early Friday evening, because she was suffering from cuts, bite marks, lacerations and abrasions that covered her entire body.
Authorities say there were also signs of sexual assault.
Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell says it is one of the worst cases of child torture that he's ever witnessed.
Deputies arrested 21-year-old Jonathan Douglas Richardson after he took the girl to Johnston Memorial Hospital.
Authorities say he told them that the girl fell out of bed.
Bizzell tells ABC11 Eyewitness News that the girl was living with Richardson and her mother in an outbuilding/barn on Richardson's grandparent's property just east of Smithfield in Brogden Community.
