Wake County Couple Accused of Child Torture Appears Before Judge

Christopher Ross allegedly told his stepdaughter's mother he would wrap the child in a blanket and a rug, set the house on fire, and leave her inside, instructing her to tell firefighters he could not get her out. That threat, read aloud in a Wake County courtroom Thursday by a prosecutor, was among the most chilling details to emerge as Christopher and Tamara Ross appeared via video conference before a judge on multiple felony child abuse charges.

The 11-year-old girl at the center of the case is Tamara Ross' biological daughter and Christopher Ross' stepdaughter. Prosecutors said she was subjected to abuse that included being forced to place her feet in scalding water, leaving her with blisters and permanent scarring. Court documents indicate the abuse occurred in 2023 and 2024.

"He threatened to kill \_\_\_\_\_ in front of Miss Ross and told her at one point that he was going to wrap her in a blanket and a rug, set the house on fire, leave her in there and tell firefighters and investigators that he could not get her out," the prosecutor said.

Prosecutors also said Tamara Ross failed to report the abuse. At the time, she was employed as an elementary school teacher at Douglas Elementary.

The case against the couple traces back to a February 2025 child custody hearing in Wake County, where Christopher Ross allegedly played a video on his phone that he said would support his custody case. Judge Ashley Parker found the footage alarming enough to order the phone seized and request an investigation into child abuse, including possible child torture. Wake County Sheriff's Office courthouse deputies then contacted the Holly Springs Police Department.

When detectives reviewed the video, they saw Tamara Ross allegedly filming while Christopher Ross restrained the child as she complained of pain and discomfort. A search warrant describes the footage this way: "The video ... shows [redacted] screaming and trying to escape the physical holds placed on her. In the video other children can be seen and were present during the incident." The couple maintained in court documents that Christopher was restraining the child because she was experiencing a mental health issue. A Child Protective Services worker who reviewed the footage concluded it depicted child abuse.

Authorities have since seized two of Christopher Ross' cellphones and believe they contain multiple recordings documenting additional abuse. All children from the household have been removed and placed in the custody of Wake County Child Protective Services.

Court records show Christopher Ross has prior convictions in the area. He pleaded guilty in February 2013 to a domestic violence protective order violation in Raleigh, and in November 2010 to assault on a female stemming from a Zebulon incident.

Both Christopher and Tamara Ross remained in the Wake County jail without bail Thursday afternoon. They are scheduled to return to court at 9 a.m. on April 9.