A Fort Belvoir resident has admitted to charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, assault by striking, beating, and wounding, as well as cruelty to children. The case involves China Ashley Charles, aged 38, who reportedly attacked her 10-year-old child on October 8, 2024.
Court documents reveal that the incident began when Charles became upset over her child's messy bedroom. She used various objects including a chair, dresser drawers, a hot iron, a charging wire, a hairbrush, and a large serving spoon to hit him. During the altercation, the child blocked an attempted strike to his face with the iron using his hands. Additionally, while being struck with the charging wire, the child's finger was cut and started bleeding.
To conceal her actions, Charles allegedly placed the child in a cold bath and splashed water on his face. In an attempt to escape further harm, the child exited from his second-floor bedroom onto the roof before jumping down and fleeing. He was later found by police with significant injuries such as bruises and abrasions.
Authorities recovered several items from Charles' home believed to be used in the attack. Among these were an iron and dresser drawer containing traces of blood confirmed to belong to the child. The investigation also uncovered reports from the child's sister indicating that he had been subjected to beatings for four years.
Charles is set for sentencing on May 9 and could receive up to 16 years in prison; however, federal sentences often fall short of maximum penalties. Sentencing will be decided by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema after evaluating various legal guidelines.
The announcement was made by Erik S. Siebert of the Eastern District of Virginia's U.S. Attorney's Office alongside Jake Cameron from the Department of Army Criminal Investigation Division following Judge Brinkema's acceptance of Charles' plea.
Prosecutors involved include Assistant U.S. Attorneys April N. Russo and Marc J. Birnbaum along with Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Claire M. Horrell.
Further information can be accessed via related court documents available through PACER or directly from both the U.S Attorney’s Office for Eastern District of Virginia’s website and that of its District Court using Case No: 1:24-cr-248.