HALIFAX COUNTY — The mother of two children involved in an ongoing child abuse investigation has been arrested, while the man charged in the original case is now wanted on additional charges.
Erica Barber was arrested Tuesday, Sept. 1, while attending Halifax County court and was remanded to the Halifax County Detention Center without bond, according to the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office.
Barber has been charged with aiding and abetting and accessory after the fact after investigators allege she attempted to assist Tony Lee Creekmore in evading prosecution in a felony child abuse case first reported July 9.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, investigators discovered evidence that Barber attempted to get the children to lie to investigators regarding the original case.
Barber is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 15.
Creekmore, 33, of Roanoke Rapids, was originally arrested in July after deputies responded to a possible domestic incident at a residence on Coleus Lane in the Roanoke Rapids area.
Deputies reported finding numerous bruises and red marks on a 7-year-old child. Investigators said marks and bruises were found across the child’s body, with some appearing to have been caused by an extension cord and others having an apparent plug shape.
The child identified Creekmore as the person responsible for the injuries, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Creekmore was subsequently charged with felony intentional child abuse inflicting serious physical injury.
The Sheriff’s Office said the continuing investigation by Detective G. Keel and the Halifax County Department of Social Services has since uncovered allegations involving another child in the household.
Investigators said that child had a bruise and knot on the forehead allegedly caused by Creekmore striking the child.
Authorities also allege Creekmore violated conditions of his release in the original case. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Creekmore had been ordered not to be around the 7-year-old child or Barber but was later observed with Barber and the children by investigators.
Creekmore has now been charged with violating a court order and misdemeanor child abuse.
He has not been arrested on the additional charges and currently has outstanding warrants, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Tony Lee Creekmore is encouraged to call the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office at 252-583-1991.
