The legal trouble for Jenelle Evans and her scary husband is worse than anyone realized!
CPS stepped in last September after reports Jenelle’s son Jace Evans had been “hiding” from his stepdad who had “assaulted” him. In October David Eason was officially charged with child abuse. But it looks like it’s gotten even more serious!
Related: David Eason Told His Ex He Still Dreams About Her ‘All The Time’ — See The Texts!
A clerk from the court in North Carolina told The US Sun on Friday that David was back in court on January 10 — and his indictment is actually now for a felony! The insider explained:
“They found enough evidence to take his case out of district court, where misdemeanors are held, and bring it to superior. District court hears misdemeanors, traffic and other infractions, whereas felony cases are heard in superior.”
Felony child abuse?! Whoa! What exactly did he do?? Per court docs obtained by the Sun last year:
“The defendant unlawfully and willingly did, being the parent of Jace V Evans, who was a child, less than 16 years of age, inflict physical injury on that child.”
Jace told the authorities David’s attack took place the night before he ran away — and there were apparently witnesses, including a Ring camera. The injuries listed imply he both grabbed the boy’s arm AND choked him:
“The physical injury inflicted caused marks on their right arm and left and right side of the neck, and was inflicted by other than accidental means.”
It sounds like the grand jury looked at the evidence on Wednesday and decided this was serious enough to bump up to a felony. That would require, per the statute, “serious physical injury.” So clearly these were not superficial marks we’re talking about. As for the extent of the harm, we may have to wait until the trial to find out. Not that Jenelle would give us a straight answer about what David did anyway, but there’s also a gag order in place now, so no one involved is supposed to be giving details about the case.
A baseline felony child abuse conviction in North Carolina could bring with it a penalty of up to 204 months — nearly 4 years — in prison. We can’t help but wonder if the charge being a felony means a tougher case — and more hours for their legal defense. And we heard just this week that Jenelle is shelling out tons of cash for the family’s three separate lawyers. Legal bills to protect David Eason just keep piling up. Not surprising, given the horrid things we’ve heard about him over the years…
Do YOU think Jenelle’s husband will be convicted on felony child abuse charges??
[Image via Jenelle Evans/Instagram.]