An anonymous tip and disturbing social media footage have led to criminal charges against two people following a child “dunking” incident at the Sunset Beach Pier. On April 4, the Sunset Beach Police Department opened an investigation into reports of an event that occurred beneath the pier the previous evening, April 3, between 6:33 p.m. and 6:44 p.m.
After evidence was presented to Brunswick County Magistrate John Adams, authorities charged Christopher Maurice Lee, of Longs, South Carolina, and Lesley Suzanne McClam, of Calabash, with one count each of misdemeanor child abuse.
In North Carolina, this charge is a Class A1 misdemeanor, the most serious level of misdemeanor offense.
The investigation began after a 911 caller reported seeing a man intentionally holding a child upside down by her legs.
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According to the report, the child’s face was submerged in the water against her will while she screamed and cried. Investigators later identified Lee as the primary suspect in the case.
While videos of the incident have spread across social media platforms, local authorities are focusing on the formal legal investigation. “The safety and well-being of every child in our community remains our highest priority,” the police department said in a statement.
The North Carolina Department of Social Services is now working in coordination with the Sunset Beach Police Department on a joint investigation. Officials stated that no further details will be released at this time because the case remains active.
Police are still looking for witnesses or anyone with additional information to come forward. If you saw what happened or have further details, contact Detective Sergeant Miloszar at (910) 880-8512.
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