A Severn couple face charges related to abuse and indecent liberties following an investigation by the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office and the county’s social services department.
The man, Kevin Spence, 38, was arrested in Suffolk on April 9 and on the same date his wife, 29-year-old Jessica Spence, was served warrants by Sergeant W. Ransom.
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Mrs. Spence faces charges of felony accessory after the fact, felony negligent child abuse with serious bodily injury, felony altering-destroying criminal evidence, felony conspiracy to destroy evidence, and misdemeanor failure to report a crime against a juvenile. She received an $11,000 secured bond and has a July 22 court date.
Captain Patrick Jacobs said this afternoon the injuries the 10-year-old girl sustained did not require hospitalization. The evidence purportedly destroyed included photographs and documents pertaining to the case, he said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Spence, who is currently awaiting extradition to Northampton County, faces charges of felony child abuse with serious bodily injury, felony indecent liberties with a child, felony possession of photographic image from peeping, felony altering/destroying criminal evidence, felony conspiracy to destroy criminal evidence, misdemeanor secret peeing, and two counts of misdemeanor sexual battery.
Mr. Spence had been charged in February by Sergeant D. Shepard with felony secret peeping underneath through clothing and received a $5,000 unsecured bond. Jacobs said Sherpard continued the investigation which began on February 8, a day before the initial charge was brought against Mr. Spence.
The allegations against the couple date back to last December, Jacobs said.
In a statement Jacobs said the investigation was based on a complaint regarding child abuse and sexual misconduct within the home. “After an extensive investigation jointly with Northampton County Department of Social Services, Sergeant D. Shephard was able to obtain warrants.”
Said Jacobs this afternoon, referring to Shepard, “I think he did an excellent job in continuing the investigation and working with the department of social services.”
“I would like to thank the Northampton County Department of Social Services for their assistance in this investigation and Sergeant Shepard for his diligent effort in the investigation and obtaining warrants,” Sheriff Jack Smith said. “I encourage anyone with information or who are victims of sexual crimes involving children or child abuse to please report the same to the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office or their local law enforcement agency.”
Smith said the sheriff’s office will continue to work closely with other agencies such as social services. “Our agency takes cases of this magnitude very seriously especially when it comes to our precious children. We will investigate all cases to the fullest extent and when it is obvious that there is a violation of law charges will be obtained.”
