Two face murder charges 20 years after child abuse conviction in Brunswick Co.

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) –Two people are facing murder charges stemming from a child abuse case that happened more than 20 years ago.

David Raeford Tripp Jr., 45, and Robyn Lynn Noffsinger, 41, are at the Brunswick County Detention Center facing $1 million bonds.

According to trial records, on April 12, 1997, EMS took Noffsinger’s 15-month-old child, David Cody Rhinehart to the emergency room.

The EMS technician noticed bruises on the child and saw he was barely breathing.

An emergency room doctor noticed the child had a head fracture, bruises, deformity on an arm and a leg, burns in the diaper region and the child was having seizures.

The child was transported to Duke Medical Center for surgery to relieve pressure on the brain.

A pediatrician at Duke testified during the trial that the child was in critical condition, comatose, and had been placed on life support. The pediatrician also believed the burns in the diaper region was caused by being immersed in a hot liquid.

X-rays also showed spinal fractures and fractures in the legs and left arm and wrist. While draining fluid from the child’s brain saved his life, the head injury caused brain damage such  that only the brain stem remained normal. According to the pediatrician, the child would be extremely impaired.

During an interview with investigators, Tripp, Noffsinger’s boyfriend at the time, admitted he gave the child a bath and that the water may have been too hot, resulting in the burns.

Tripp pleaded guilty to the four counts of felony child abuse pursuant to an Alford plea.

According to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety website, Noffsinger was convicted of child abuse on July, 29 1998. Noffsinger spent about two years in prison.

Tripp was convicted of child abuse on July 30, 1998. Tripp was also convicted of indecent liberties with a child on December 2, 1998. Tripp spent about six and a half years in prison.

The child’s name was changed to David Stuart. He died in March after his adoptive parents took care of him for years.

“I want to thank the mothers of this child that adopted this child many years ago and provided probably the best life that he could have had an we just want to say thank you,” Brunswick County Chief Deputy Charlie Miller said.

David Stuart (Photo: GoFundMe)

The Assistant District Attorney says the medical examiner believes the injuries the victim suffered lead to his death.

District Attorney Jon David said the two did not know they were going to be arrested.

“I’m sure it’s an emotional time in “I’m sure it’s an emotional time in their life and I will tell you that, although they’ve been prosecuted for this case before, it’s our intention to hold them to the maximum punishment allowable by law, given the gravity of this case,” David said.

The State is debating whether to seek the death penalty.

Noffsinger and Tripp both appeared in court this morning. Their bonds are set at $1 million each. Their next court date is June 6.