Erwin couple facing aggravated child abuse charges

An Erwin man and woman were arrested Tuesday and are facing multiple charges including aggravated child abuse after an investigation revealed they were responsible for a child’s “serious bodily injury” in 2024. 31 year old James Roark and 48 year old Cynthia Roark, both of Union Street, were arrested after a Unicoi County grand jury returned an indictment following a months long investigation. Unicoi County Sheriff’s Office officials say the investigation started in October 2024 after the 11-year-old son of James Roark was treated at a hospital for serious bodily injuries. Cynthia Roark is the child’s stepmother. Officials removed the child from the home some time ago, but said that it took time to bring the case in front of a grand jury. The investigation from multiple agencies revealed the Roarks were allegedly responsible for the child’s injuries.