Friday, November 8
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14-Month-Old Dies After Suspected Child Abuse, One Arrested for Murder

ASHEBORO N.C. – The Ramseur Police Department say they have charged a Randleman man with first degree murder after a child died from suspected abuse.

On Aug 31st, 2021, Investigators with the Ramseur Police Department received a call from the Randolph Health Emergency Department about a 14-month-old child that had sustained serious injuries related to suspected child abuse. That child was being transferred to Brenner’s Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric ICU. Despite undergoing surgery on Sept 5th, 2022, the child succumbed to its injuries.

Investigators from the Ramseur Police Department partnered with several other law enforcement agencies including the Liberty Police Department, Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Randolph County
District Attorney’s Office, Randolph County Department of Social Services, Emmy’s House Child Advocacy
Center, Asheboro Police Department, Department of Homeland Security, to conduct a thorough investigation into the injuries of the deceased child. As a result, investigators obtained a warrant for first degree murder on Joel Valdez Beltran.

Beltran was located and arrested by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Apprehension Unit and was booked into the Randolph County Jail where he is currently being held without bond. Beltran is expected to make his initial court appearance on 09/22/2022.

In a statement today, the Ramseur Police Department says they “convey their sincerest gratitude for the following agencies and resources for their tireless efforts to investigate and apprehend Joel Valdez Beltran in this matter.”

The investigation is ongoing and further charges are possible in the future. Ramseur Police Department says no further information will be released at this time but asks for anyone with information to contact the Ramseur Police Department.

Joel Valdez Beltran

Joel Valdez Beltran

  • First Degree Murder

No Bond