ERWIN, Tenn. (WJHL) — An Erwin man and woman are facing charges of aggravated child abuse and more, following their arrest on Tuesday due to their involvement in causing “serious bodily injury” to a child in 2024.

James Roark, aged 31, along with Cynthia Roark, aged 48, both residing on Union Street, were taken into custody after a Unicoi County grand jury issued a true bill of indictment on Tuesday, concluding a prolonged investigation.

Chief Deputy Frank Rogers of the Unicoi County Sheriff’s Office stated that the investigation was initiated in October 2024 when James Roark’s 11-year-old son received treatment at a hospital for severe bodily injuries. Cynthia Roark is reportedly his stepmother.

Rogers said the child was taken out of the home some time ago, but it took time to bring the case in front of a grand jury.

The investigation revealed the Roarks were allegedly responsible for the child’s injuries, and the pair was both charged with the following:

• 2 counts of aggravated child abuse
• 3 counts of aggravated child neglect
• 1 count of especially aggravated kidnapping

“Well, the aggravated enhancement, there’s a couple of ways you get that,” Rogers told News Channel 11. “One is, you know, by the age of the child, but in this case, it’s due to the severity of the injuries.”

Rogers said once the couple is arraigned, more details about the case will become public, but added there’s other factors and events that were considered in addition to what led to the child being treated at the hospital in October.

“You know, there’s obviously concerns from other individuals with respect to the welfare of the child,” Rogers said.

The investigation was a group effort among the Unicoi County Sheriff’s Office, the Erwin Police Department, the Department of Children’s Services and the Department of Safety’s Office of Homeland Security.