COVID-19 update

As NC records more than 56-hundred new cases of COVID-19 Thursday for the first time, Burke County continues to add cases to its total as well.

Local public health officials say there are currently 4-thousand-396 positive cases in Burke, an increase of 34 cases. 906 cases are active, and 15 people are hospitalized.

Three additional deaths were reported with two people in their 80's and another in

their 50's. Burke now with 70 deaths due to COVID-19 related complications.

McDowell County reportedly now has a total of 1-thousand-903 cases, an increase in positives of 23. 265 McDowell residents are in quarantine.

And a holiday reminder from the Burke County Health Department – officials there will not be conducting COVID-19 testing from December 22^nd through January 1^st because of Christmas closings.

They report testing will resume Monday January 4^th 2021.

For information on testing or to make an appointment, call 828-764-9150.

Foster Parent Charged

While reportedly serving as a foster parent, a Morganton woman is charged with sexual abuse.

According to a news release issued by the Burke County Sheriff’s office, 26-year-old Mary Caroline Brown of 3036 Perkins Avenue is charged with a felony sex act by substitute parent.

Reports say the criminal investigation division received a report November 30th from the state’s department of health and human services’ child protective services.

The report contained allegations of sexual abuse with a child in foster care.

Following an investigation, a warrant was issued yesterday for Brown’s arrest.

She was taken into custody without incident reports say.

Brown was placed in the Burke County jail under a 100-thousand dollar secured bond.

The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office and the Burke County Department of Social Services assisted the Burke County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation.

Custodian Arrest

An Alexander County school custodian has been charged with peeping.

According to a release from the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office, a camera had been placed inside a staff bathroom at Wittenburg Elementary School.

Reports say 32-year-old Michael Justin Childers of Taylorsville, a custodian with the school system, has been arrested in the investigation and charged with one felony count of peeping.

The news release states the camera was discovered Monday, and had been placed underneath a sink in a staff bathroom.

A school staff member later found the camera lying in the floor.

Authorities say no other cameras or recording devices were located after a complete search of the school.

Childers was issued a 10-thousand dollar secured bond, with a court date set for Monday December 7^th.