Statesville Couple Charged With Felony Child-Sex Crimes

A Statesville couple has been charged with the sexual assault of a girl.

38-year old Aaron Daniel Salyer has been charged by Statesville Police with six counts of indecent liberties with children, five counts each of statutory rape of a child, statutory sex offense with a child, sex act by a substitute parent/custodian and child abuse-prostitution. He is being held in the Iredell County Detention Center with bond set at $1.6 million.

38-year old Tabitha Elizabeth Vain is charged with five counts of felony child abuse-sexual act. She is being held in jail under a $500,000 bond.

Statesville Police Officers began their investigation on Wednesday when a juvenile reported she had been sexually assaulted for the past eight years. She told police that her cellphone had been hidden to prevent her from calling the police. The Iredell County Department of Iredell County Social Services assisted police in the investigation and has taken custody of the girls who are reported to be 14 and 16 years old.

The Troutman Police Department is also investigating after the juveniles told investigators they were assaulted in that jurisdiction as well.

The victims contend their mother was aware of situation but did nothing to prevent the assaults.

Photos: Statesville Police Department

The Statesville Record & Landmark contributed to this story