Kinston Police Department: Sensitive Incident – Child Abuse Investigation

On January 15, 2026, at approximately 6:35 p.m., officers with the Kinston Police Department’s B-Squad responded to a reported disturbance on the 400 block of Manning Street.

The investigation revealed that a dispute had occurred between 40-year-old Amy Gauthier and her juvenile son regarding a cell phone. Officers determined the dispute stemmed from the juvenile possessing video evidence depicting the abuse of a 3-year-old child by 37-year-old Joshua Stockton.

The juvenile provided officers with the video, which contained graphic content documenting the abuse. Due to the nature of the evidence, officers immediately expanded the investigation. During this process, it was discovered that law enforcement had previously reported concerns related to child abuse involving the same individuals to the Department of Social Services. That prior investigation had been closed.

As a result of the newly obtained evidence, KPD again contacted the Department of Social Services. DSS responded to the scene and based on the information provided during this investigation, assumed custody of five children due to the arrest of Stockton and Gauthier.

Joshua Stockton was arrested and placed in the Lenoir County Jail without bond on the following charges:

• Assault with a Deadly Weapon with a Minor Present (4 counts)

• Child Abuse

• Exposing a Child to Fire

• Assault by Strangulation

• Felony Assault on an Individual with Disabilities

Amy Gauthier was also arrested and placed in the Lenoir County Jail without bond on the following charges:

• Felony Aiding and Abetting (3 counts)

• Misdemeanor Aiding and Abetting (5 counts)