Buncombe Sheriff: Charges upped to first-degree murder for couple in death of infant
Charges have been upped against two Buncombe County parents in the death of their infant child.
Nickolas Shane Stephenson, 35, and Diandra Haleigh Fuhr-Farlow, 28, now face first-degree murder charges in the death of their two-month-old daughter, according to the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office.
“Based on the totality of the facts from our investigation to include the findings from the preliminary autopsy and after consultation with the district attorney, we have upgraded the charges against the parents of Riley,” said Maj. John Ledford in a news release statement.
Past reporting: Infant burned, bones broken, says warrants; Buncombe couple charged with murder
Buncombe County: Buncombe's new fiscal year starts July 1: Which departments get the most money in FY 2023?
Stephenson was previously charged with second-degree murder and negligent child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury. Fuhr- Farlow was charged with felonious child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury.
The Citizen Times previously reported that, according to arrest warrants, Stephenson assaulted his 2-month-old daughter June 28 by inflicting multiple burns and broken bones that led to her death. Another warrant for Fuhr-Farlow says she "did intentionally and neglectfully leave (the) juvenile in a serious injured state that led to her death."
They are scheduled for district court July 20, according to the state's online court listing.
They are being held on no bond at the Buncombe County Detention Facility.
Ryan Oehrli is the breaking news and social justice reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Email coehrli@citizentimes.com or call/text 252-944-6816 for tips.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Buncombe Sheriff: Charges upgraded to 1st-degree murder in child's death
