Local child's courage puts predator behind bars

Even though North Carolina legally requires every person to report child sex abuse, 60% of victims take their stories to the grave.

That’s according to Jennifer Gold, the director of the Burke County Children’s Advocacy Center of Southmountain (CAC).

However, thanks to one child’s willingness to speak up, Cornelius Sylvanus Burnett, 56, of Morganton, received a 35–51-year sentence last month, meaning he will likely spend the rest of his life in prison.

A jury found Burnett guilty of one statutory sex offense with a child and six counts of indecent liberties with a child on Nov. 10, earning him the hefty conviction and marking another win for child safety advocates in the area.

“The District Attorney’s Office is very appreciative of the collaboration of all agencies and individuals involved, and the hard work put into this case to remove a child predator from society,” Chief Assistant District Attorney Mitch Walker said on the decision.

According to the Office of the District Attorney, the victim in the case against Burnett confided in a friend, who alerted a school guidance counselor.

Burke County Public Schools (BCPS) Public Relations Officer Cheryl Shuffler said, “School counselors are trained on when to make DSS referrals. This is also discussed at New Teacher Orientation.”

This conviction comes as another child sex abuse case worms its way through the courts.

On Dec. 2, former Patton High School teacher Christopher Bailey appeared in court. The Morganton Department of Public Safety (MDPS) arrested Bailey in August after officers investigated a reported sexual assault against a minor and seized electronic evidence.

Bailey was charged with one count of incest and nine counts of a sex act by a substitute parent or custodian. Bailey pled guilty on Dec. 2, receiving two 20–48-month sentences and 60 months of probation.

Due to Bailey’s lack of a prior criminal record and the “unique nature” of his crime, he may be released early, although he will still be placed on the sex offender registry.

At BCPS, no registered sex offenders are hired for any position, and the district checks sex offender registries on all independent contractors. All employees are required to inform the district when arrested or facing charges other than traffic violations within 24 hours of release.

BCPS policy bans romantic or sexual relationships between employees and enrolled students, no matter the student’s age.

If they are caught, the employee is subject to dismissal and, if the sexual contact was illegal, the district prohibits other employees from assisting the dismissed employee in finding another job.

Shuffler confirmed that the BCPS Board of Education terminated Bailey’s employment following his arrest.

“We require training for staff on critical topics such as mandatory reporting, recognizing signs of trauma and abuse, and identifying potential sex trafficking,” Shuffler said. “Our goal is to keep families informed, build confidence, and ensure our community knows exactly where we stand when it comes to student safety.”

Following a report from the guidance counselor in the Burnett case, the Burke County Department of Social Services (DSS) got involved and removed the child. DSS then referred the minor to CAC for a forensic interview.

Gold, who conducts forensic interviews at the center, explained how it’s one of many tools victims may access following a referral by DSS or law enforcement.

“Children also have access to something called a child medical evaluation,” Gold said. “That serves two purposes. One is to obtain any available forensic evidence that may assist in the investigation. But it’s also to ensure that that child is healthy, and if they’re healthy, that they know that they’re healthy moving forward.”

Gold said she once worked with a child who secretly worried she was pregnant for several years until the medical evaluation helped her understand she was pregnancy-free.

“She carried that burden with her forever,” Gold said. “We feel like the child medical exam is a super important piece to give that child some reassurance.”

Despite increased vigilance, Gold said internet crimes against children are growing at an alarming rate.

“I would definitely advise parents to be monitoring their child’s online activities,” Gold said. “Don’t start once they’re a teenager. A lot of the crimes we see against children are starting a lot younger. We’ve seen children as young as 8 who are being exploited.”

Gold gave the example of predators offering dieting feedback online. After requesting pictures of the child partially clothed, the perpetrator uses the photos to blackmail the victim into more intense scenarios.

“What begins as a seemingly innocent exchange, then quickly shifts into manipulation, coercion, and ultimately sextortion,” Gold said. “By the time the child realizes the intent behind the contact, they’re already entangled in a situation they feel powerless to escape.”

At the school level, BCPS policy prohibits all communication with students on employees’ personal devices and restricts any other communication not approved by their supervisor or the student’s parent. Both employees and students are required to report suspected misconduct.

At the police level, MDPS Capt. Nick Edwards leads the Criminal Investigations Division, managing casework and warrants, interviewing suspects, and seizing devices.

“The MDPS places a high priority on these types of investigations because they are essential to protecting vulnerable children, disrupting offenders who often operate across jurisdictions and online platforms, and keeping the community safe,” Edwards said.

MDPS dedicates three investigators to the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, according to Edwards. While each state structures ICAC resources in different ways, the network is nationwide and combats various child exploitation methods, including child pornography and solicitation.

“These investigations also help identify hands-on offenders, who may use digital communication to target, groom, or gain access to victims,” Edwards said. “By pursuing both online and contact-based offenders, MDPS works to prevent further victimization and safeguard the most vulnerable members of our community.”

Much like MDPS, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) works with tips from the community and behind-the-scenes operations to identify victims and suspects.

The BCSO gathers evidence “through a thorough investigation that includes interviews, forensic interviews, and information and evidence obtained from court orders and search warrants,” Sheriff Banks Hinceman said. “Once a victim is identified, the investigator will schedule a forensic interview with the [CAC].”

Gold said local cases get support from the Burke County Multidisciplinary Team — a collaborative effort by the assistant district attorney, detectives, social workers, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and more.

“That group focuses on ensuring that these cases are coordinated in a way that increases the likelihood of positive outcomes for these kids — making sure that they don’t fall through the cracks,” Gold said. “We meet weekly and we discuss every single case that comes through this center … It is my opinion that the children of Burke County get the very best care.”

As for keeping kids safe in the home, Gold advises parents to listen and create an environment where children know they are heard.

Victims may test the waters of a trusted adult, offering partial information or saying scenarios happened to a friend. However, warning signs look different between cases — overachieving, social withdrawal, and depression are a few concerning behaviors to note.

“Every time I see a child get better — there’s no better joy than that,” Gold said. “We do assist in protecting the community and getting individuals that are dangerous off of the streets. We also assist children in regaining the innocence of childhood and that’s huge.”