A North Carolina couple will spend decades behind bars for killing their 4-year-old adopted son after leaving the boy restrained face down on the floor with duct tape for hours until he suffered a fatal brain injury, authorities said.
Background
Joseph Paul Wilson and Jodi Ann Wilson adopted Skyler Wilson and, according to prosecutors, implemented disciplinary techniques drawn from books about alternative parenting methods for adopted children. However, the couple escalated those practices far beyond anything described in the material by using duct tape and prolonged physical restraint on the young boy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, authorities said the Wilsons left Skyler restrained to the floor with duct tape while Joseph Wilson was at work. When he returned home for lunch, he found the child still restrained but did not release him. Instead, prosecutors alleged Joseph Wilson left the boy in that condition and returned to work.
Skyler remained restrained by duct tape for several hours before Jodi Wilson finally released him. It became immediately apparent that the child was badly hurt and needed medical attention, authorities said. Late in the afternoon, Jodi Wilson messaged her husband at work: 'Hurry home, I think I have hurt him.'
The Sentencing
District 17A Superior Judge Angela B. Puckett on Wednesday ordered Joseph Paul Wilson and Jodi Ann Wilson to serve 32 to 40 years in a North Carolina state correctional facility after they pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree murder, felony child abuse, and conspiracy to commit felony child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury.
Each defendant received 25 to 31 years in prison on the second-degree murder conviction, with additional consecutive time stemming from their conspiracy convictions. Both were credited with approximately three and a half years of time served during the legal proceedings.
"The restraint occurred while Joseph Wilson was at work," the Surry County District Attorney's Office said in an earlier statement to The Mount Airy News. "When Skyler was finally released by Jodi Wilson, it became obvious that he was badly hurt and needed medical attention."
Skyler was hospitalized after suffering catastrophic injuries on Jan. 5, 2023, and died four days later on Jan. 9, 2023. The Wilsons were arrested just days following the child's death.
Medical Findings
An autopsy conducted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation determined Skyler died from a hypoxic-ischemic brain injury caused by compressional and positional asphyxia during the prolonged restraint. The medical examiner also found starvation ketoacidosis contributed to his death, concluding the child was undernourished and physically weakened as a result.
Search warrants obtained by Greensboro ABC affiliate WFMY further alleged that the Wilsons restrained and isolated Skyler while subjecting him to exorcisms. Less than a month before Skyler's death, a former foster parent had reported concerns about the boy's treatment to authorities.
Key Takeaways
- Joseph Paul Wilson and Jodi Ann Wilson were sentenced to 32-40 years each after pleading guilty to second-degree murder, felony child abuse, and conspiracy charges
- Skyler Wilson died Jan. 9, 2023, four days after suffering catastrophic injuries from prolonged duct-tape restraint
- Autopsy determined the boy died from hypoxic-ischemic brain injury caused by compressional and positional asphyxia
- Medical examiner also found starvation ketoacidosis contributed to death, indicating chronic malnutrition
- Both defendants were credited with approximately 3.5 years of time served
What's Next
The Wilsons waived their rights to appeal as part of their plea agreements. The case now moves into the execution of sentences at a North Carolina state correctional facility.
"It's my fault," authorities reported hearing Jodi Wilson say in the background when officers arrived at the scene, according to investigators.