The suspect is being held under a $10 million bond, court records show.
ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — A China Grove woman is facing multiple felony charges, including child sexual abuse, after federal agents discovered videos depicting the sexual abuse of an infant during a separate investigation, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office announced.
Veronica Rose Yerry, 33, was arrested and charged with felony child abuse, first-degree forcible sex offense with a child, first-degree sexual exploitation of a child, second-degree sexual exploitation of a child, crime against nature and simple possession of marijuana in connection with the case.
The FBI notified the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 9 about an investigation involving the sexual abuse of a child. Agents, who were already assisting the sheriff’s office in an unrelated investigation, discovered communications from Yerry that included videos depicting the sexual abuse of an infant. Detectives subsequently confirmed the identities of both the suspect and the child victim.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for Yerry’s residence and seized physical and digital evidence. Detectives later located Yerry near her home and took her into custody during a traffic stop. The child victim was found inside the vehicle at the time of the arrest. Yerry is being held under a $10 million bond. Her next court appearance is scheduled for March 2.
The child was released to the Rowan County Department of Social Services, which assumed emergency custody to ensure the child’s safety and well-being, according to the sheriff’s office. During the residential search, investigators also reported finding marijuana in the child’s bedroom.
Yerry was booked into the Rowan County Detention Center without bond. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is encouraged to contact Detective Rayshawn Williams at 704-216-8682.
Note: WCNC instituted a policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots. WCNC Charlotte has chosen to use this mugshot because of the serious nature of the charges and the victim is a child.
