Fayetteville woman charged in son's death

A Fayetteville woman is charged in the death of her 1-year-old child, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office said Monday.

Malissa Yates, 24, of 6089 Lunar Drive, was arrested late Monday afternoon and charged with first-degree murder and felony child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury.

Yates was being held without bond in the Cumberland County Detention Center.

Investigators say Yates assaulted her son in July. The State Medical Examiner’s Office determined the child died of blunt force trauma to the head, chest and abdomen.

Yates will make her first court appearance on Tuesday.

Yates was charged with misdemeanor child abuse in November, according to state Department of Correction records.