Guilford County woman charged after children allegedly screamed for help

Sabrina Lauren Spruill was arrested June 23 at a Browns Summit home after children screaming for help led a witness to call 911, and the case now carries 13 charges tied to three children under 12.

Court records accuse her of pouring hot wax on the children and strangling them. The home had little edible food and no proper bedding. Spruill, 34, lives in Browns Summit. At her first court appearance, her bond was increased to $250,000 from $75,000.

Spruill faces charges that include three counts of child abuse resulting in serious injury, three counts of assault by strangulation, three counts of assault on a child under 12, communicating threats and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. North Carolina Judicial Branch offense lists classify assault on a child under 12 as a Class A1 misdemeanor and assault by strangulation as a Class H felony. A neighbor said, “Nothing was ever done.”

Anyone in Guilford County who suspects child abuse or neglect should call Child Protective Services at 336-641-3795 during business hours or 800-378-5315 after hours. Call 911 if a child is in immediate danger. Suspected abuse or neglect must be reported to the county Department of Social Services. After a report is made, county social workers screen it to decide whether it will be accepted for assessment, then send written notice within five working days about that decision and any law-enforcement referral. When the assessment ends, the reporter is notified again about the findings and any protective action, including whether a petition was filed.