SALISBURY — A parent and her live-in boyfriend are accused of child abuse after deputies found “significant bruises” on two children at the home, authorities said.
According to a Rowan County Sheriff’s Office report, Amber Nicole Orrock, 31, and John Bernard McClendon, 41, both of Woodberry Drive, turned themselves in at the Sheriff’s Office Friday on charges of two counts each of child abuse and assault on a child under 12 years old.
They were released after each posted a $2,500 bond.
The couple left the two children, a 4-year-old girl and 8-year-old boy, in the care of a babysitter to attend the Faith Fourth of July parade, deputies said.
But the babysitter told officers she noticed “significant bruising to both of the children’s bodies,” the report said, and called for help.
Deputies said they worked with investigators from the Department of Social Services and “determined the parents and live-in boyfriend were responsible,” the report said.
On Aug. 2, investigators obtained warrants for Orrock and McClendon. They surrendered the following day.
The children were placed into the care of a relative, deputies said.
The Department of Social Services remains involved with the family.