The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office has charged 19-year-old Bernard Ivan Alexander with misdemeanor child abuse and felony child abuse inflicting serious injury following an investigation into the physical abuse of a 2 1/2-year-old female.
According to deputies, Alexander recently married the mother of the child but is not the father of the child.
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At approximately 3:50 a.m. Tuesday, the child was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center by the mother. A medical examination determined that the child's injuries were not accidental, and the sheriff's office was notified.
Alexander is being held in the Cumberland County Detention Facility under a $175,000 secured bond.
The child was in stable condition at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center on Tuesday night.