A Morganton man faces assault and kidnapping charges after officers responded to a welfare check Wednesday  morning.

Family members of the victim contacted Morganton Public Safety after failing to hear from her for several days, fearing that she was being held against her will.

Officers went to an address on Patton Road where they reportedly knocked several times and identified themselves, but no one would come to the door.

The news release stated officers observed people inside the home and the interior lights were on.

Minutes later, officers heard screams for help coming from the residence prompting forced entry into the home.

Reports say on the second floor of the residence, they discovered an adult female with apparent injuries, a juvenile child, and two other adults.

The suspect, 31-year-old Donald Silvester Cunningham, Junior of 104 Patton Street was found by officers in the basement hiding behind a shelf.

The female victim confirmed she was being held against her will and is known to Cunningham; however, their relationship was not disclosed.

She was transported to Carolinas Med Center Morganton for treatment.

Cunningham is charged with numerous assault offenses- four of which are felony charges.

He is being held at the Burke Catawba Confinement facility currently without bond.

A Valdese woman is among four people arrested at a Hickory convenience store for drug trafficking.

Around 1 am Monday, Hickory Police reportedly made the arrests at the Raceway Convenience on Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard.

48-year-old Nancy Cha of Valdese was charged with one felony count each of trafficking meth and possession of a controlled substance.

Cha was issued a 75-thousand-dollar secured bond.

34-year-old Anita Yang, 30-year-old Ger Yang, and 33-year-old Chou Lee all of Hickory were also each charged with felony trafficking in meth.

Anita Yang was issued a 50-thousand-dollar secured bond, while Ger Yang’s and Lee’s were set at 75-thousand secured each.

Reports say all four remain in custody at the Catawba County jail.

A Nebo man faces weapon and drug charges following a search of his vehicle by McDowell officers.

42-year-old Billy Joe Kennedy of 151 Amy Drive was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of up to one-half ounce marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Deputies searched the car Kennedy was driving and discovered a handgun, 6-point-3 grams of marijuana, and items of drug paraphernalia.