Kenisha Crockett
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Nov. 4, 2025) — A Forsyth County woman has been sentenced to between 41 and 52 years in prison after a jury found her guilty of severely scalding a 16-month-old girl and inflicting other serious injuries, prosecutors announced.
Kenisha Crockett, 47, was convicted by a Forsyth County jury on Oct. 31 of multiple felony child abuse charges, including child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury, child abuse inflicting serious physical injury, and child abuse by reckless act or grossly negligent omission resulting in serious bodily injury, according to the Forsyth County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said the case stemmed from an April 15, 2021, incident in which the toddler was admitted to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist’s Brenner Children’s Hospital with severe burns and bruising.
Medical staff found that the child had third-degree burns on her right foot and ankle and second-degree burns on her left foot, injuries consistent with immersion in hot water, according to court testimony. Doctors also documented extensive bruising on the child’s lower body, believed to be caused by being struck multiple times with an object.
Investigators determined that Crockett, who was caring for the child at the time, was responsible for the abuse.
During the trial, prosecutors presented medical evidence and expert testimony detailing the extent of the child’s injuries. The jury deliberated before finding Crockett guilty on all counts.
Judge David Hall sentenced Crockett to serve a minimum of 41 years and one month and a maximum of 52 years and two months in the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.
Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Martin said the sentence reflects “the unimaginable cruelty and lasting harm inflicted on a defenseless child.”
Officials said the child has since been placed in a safe environment and continues to receive ongoing care.