Winston-Salem woman Kenisha Crockett sentenced after toddler’s brutal scalding abuse case
According to the Forsyth County District Attorney’s Office, Kenisha Crockett was sentenced to a minimum of 41 years and up to 52 years in prison after a jury found her guilty on multiple felony child abuse charges.
Prosecutors said the nightmare began on April 15, 2021, when a 16-month-old baby was rushed to Brenner’s Children’s Hospital with third-degree burns to her right foot and ankle and second-degree burns to her left foot.
Doctors also discovered severe bruising on the lower half of the child’s body — injuries consistent with repeated beatings.
A doctor with Atrium Health testified that the burns weren’t accidental — they were the result of an “immersion burn,” meaning the toddler’s foot had been held down in scalding hot water.
Due to the severity of the injuries, the child had to undergo skin grafting and several follow-up procedures. Medical experts confirmed that the little girl would live with permanent scars as a result of the abuse.
After hearing days of testimony, jurors found Crockett guilty of:
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Felony Child Abuse Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury
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Felony Child Abuse Inflicting Serious Physical Injury
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Felony Child Abuse by Reckless Act or Grossly Negligent Omission Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury
Judge imposed one of the harshest penalties under North Carolina law — sending Crockett to state prison for 41 to 52 years.
The Forsyth County DA’s Office said the conviction sends a strong message that child abusers will face full accountability.
