Statesville Man Sentenced 12-20 Years Child Abuse, Sex Crimes

Christopher Torres, a 27-year-old Statesville man, was sentenced to 12 to nearly 20 years in prison after entering an Alford plea to multiple charges including first-degree statutory sex offense, statutory rape, and felony child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury. The case began in February 2024 when a 13-month-old child, under Torres' care, was found unresponsive and later treated for intentional injuries such as brain bleeds and bruising. Investigations uncovered that Torres had an illicit sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl and that multiple victims, including children, were involved. Additionally, Torres' daughters were coerced by their grandmother and aunt to provide false information to investigators, leading to charges against both relatives for accessory after the fact. Upon release, Torres will be required to register as a sex offender. The case involved coordinated efforts from the Statesville Police Department, social services, medical professionals, and the district attorney's office.