Crime
Parents Charged After 3-Year-Old Dies in Accidental Shooting Inside Vehicle in Mebane
MEBANE, N.C. — Authorities have formally charged the parents of a 3-year-old child who tragically died earlier this month after an accidental firearm discharge inside a vehicle, Mebane police announced on Wednesday, May 29.
Kaitlyn and Michael Hatch are each facing charges of storage of firearms to protect minors, following the fatal incident that occurred on Tuesday, May 7, around 7:55 p.m.
Police say the shooting took place near the intersection of West Lee Street and South First Street in Mebane.
According to investigators, officers arrived at the scene to find a critically injured child inside a vehicle.
The child had suffered a gunshot wound from a firearm that discharged within the car.
Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, the child was pronounced dead less than an hour later.
“This is a heartbreaking loss,” Mebane Police said in a statement. “We recognize the deep impact this has on our community and remain committed to uncovering the full facts with diligence, care, and transparency.”
Court documents related to the case allege that both parents unlawfully stored a firearm in a manner accessible to an unsupervised minor, leading to the child gaining access to the weapon without parental permission and causing death.
The legal filing further states that the firearm was not stored in a secure condition and that the parents knew or should have known the potential risk.
Both Kaitlyn and Michael Hatch are scheduled to appear in court on July 3 as the investigation continues.
Police and child safety advocates are urging all gun owners to ensure that firearms are safely stored, especially in households and vehicles where children are present.
Crime
Former Texas Worship Minister and Christian Musician Jon Sheptock Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — A married Christian musician and former worship minister who once performed at a rally for former President Donald Trump has been arrested on multiple child sexual abuse material (CSAM) charges, authorities confirmed.
According to officials, Jon Sheptock, a former minister at First Montgomery Baptist Church, was taken into custody on September 26 by detectives from the Montgomery County Constable’s Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Unit.
He faces charges of possession and production of child pornography following a detailed investigation into allegations of long-term misconduct.
The arrest was based on testimony from a woman who alleged that Sheptock stole a photograph of her approximately nine years ago, when she was 17 years old.
The victim told investigators that after sending her the image, Sheptock demanded explicit photographs and later sent her a video depicting a violent assault, warning that he “did not want that to happen to her.”
Court records further indicate that Sheptock showed the victim nude images of both adults and minors on his computer.
Investigators allege that the misconduct continued as recently as October 2023, when Sheptock reportedly sent a text message to the victim containing a nude image of young girls.
Before his arrest, Sheptock was widely known as a Christian recording artist and motivational speaker.
His now-deleted website biography stated that he was born without arms and with one leg shorter than the other, yet went on to describe himself as a “thriving Christian recording artist and speaker.” He has been married for 26 years and is the father of three daughters.
In a public statement, First Montgomery Baptist Church confirmed that Sheptock was immediately removed from all ministry responsibilities following his arrest.
The church emphasized that Sheptock did not hold any position involving direct contact with children, and there is no indication that minors associated with the church were involved or affected.
Sheptock gained wider public attention in January 2022, when he performed the national anthem at a rally for then-President Donald Trump, according to The Independent.
If convicted, Sheptock faces a potential prison sentence ranging from two to twenty years.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are encouraging anyone with additional information to contact the Montgomery County Constable’s Office Human Traffic.