Barnardsville Mother Charged With Murder in Infant Son's Stabbing Death

Enoch Chappell was 10 months old when first responders found him suffering from multiple stab wounds inside a home at 10 Rocala Drive in Barnardsville. He was rushed to Mission Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His mother, Ciara Frederick, 34, now faces a charge of first-degree murder.

Frederick was arrested and charged Wednesday afternoon after the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office responded to a stabbing call just after 2 p.m. at the Rocala Drive address. The Barnardsville Fire Department and Buncombe County EMS also responded. Barnardsville is a small community east of Flat Creek, tucked into the northern reaches of Buncombe County.

Along with the murder charge, Frederick faces two counts of assault with a deadly weapon. She was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility, where court records show she is being held without bond. Deputies said they are not currently looking for any other suspects.

Sheriff Quentin Miller addressed the loss in a statement released by the sheriff's office around 6:45 p.m. Thursday. "Our hearts and thoughts are with everyone impacted by this tragedy," Miller said. "Members of the Barnardsville Fire Department and Buncombe County EMS did everything they could to save this child's life, and for that we are grateful. Our hearts are broken."

The killing marks the second homicide investigated by the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office in 2026. Earlier this year, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol investigated a separate vehicular homicide that resulted in a second-degree murder charge.

No motive has been released, and no court date for Frederick has been publicly announced.