Gastonia, N.C. - April 13, 2022 - Detectives from the Gastonia Police Department (GPD) have charged Van Erick Custodio, age 42, of Gastonia, for the felony physical child abuse of a six-week-old boy that Custodio’s family was in the process of adopting.
At approximately 10:00 a.m. on April 1, GPD along with Fire and Rescue personnel responded to a home on Prancer Lane for the report of an infant in cardiac arrest. The infant was transported to a local hospital and his condition is considered life-threatening.
During the investigation, detectives determined that the infant’s cardiac arrest was related to injuries sustained that were consistent with being physically abused.
GPD detectives obtained a warrant for Custodio's arrest charging him with one count of felony child abuse – severe bodily injury.
On April 11, Custodio was arrested in York County, South Carolina on the strength of GPD’s arrest warrant.
On April 13, Custodio was extradited to Gaston County. He is being held on a $500,000.00 bond.
This remains an active investigation and no further information is available at this time.
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