A couple accused of leaving their injured 4-month-old baby at a hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, before fleeing have been apprehended after a months-long search. Brandon Augustine, 24, and Mildred Chestnut, 23, allegedly abandoned their child in March, claiming the injuries were a result of a minor car crash. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department announced the arrests on Thursday, charging the couple with Felony Child Abuse Inflicting Serious Injury. The child was found to have suffered severe and life-altering injuries that were inconsistent with a minor car crash.
Brandon Augustine, 24, and Mildred Chestnut, 23, have been taken into custody after allegedly leaving their 4-month-old baby at a hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina. The couple claimed that the child’s injuries were a result of a minor car crash. However, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department determined that the injuries were severe and not consistent with a minor accident. The arrests were made by the department’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) on Thursday, but no further details were provided.
The search for Augustine and Chestnut began in March when family members reported them missing. The couple had been on the run since then, possibly crossing state lines. Detectives discovered their abandoned vehicle in Austell, Georgia, on March 21. It was intentionally hidden, leading investigators to believe that the couple had been receiving assistance, including money, shelter, and rides. Records from the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office confirm that both Augustine and Chestnut are now in custody.
The abandoned infant was found to be suffering from injuries described as severe and life-altering. The nature of these injuries raised suspicions among investigators, as they were not consistent with the couple’s claim of a minor car crash. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s investigation into the case began on March 21st, following the report of the parents’ disappearance. The subsequent search for Augustine and Chestnut involved multiple law enforcement agencies and lasted several months.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has not provided further details about the arrests.