JACKSON – The parents of a two-year-old child found wandering in a motel parking lot on Valentine’s night wound up having to make alternative sleeping arrangements other than a rental room.

Jeri Lee Hurne Clark, 23, and Randy Wayne Knight, 24, both of Titusville, Florida, spent the night in jail following their arrest Feb. 14 on the charges of misdemeanor child abuse and resisting a public officer.

Northampton County Sheriff Jack Smith said the couple’s child was seen alone in the parking lot of the Super 8 Motel off I-95 late at night on Feb. 14. Following a brief investigation by Northampton deputies responding to the call, the child’s parents were arrested.

Clark and Knight were both placed in the Northampton County Detention Center, each under a $1,000 secured bond, Smith said. They have a March 15 court date.

Smith reminds parents to closely monitor small children. State Law requires parents to supervise their kids at all times.

In other recent arrests by the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office:

James Jeffrey Reaves, 36, of Nikina, NC was arrested Feb. 15 and charged with felony possession of a stolen vehicle. He was placed in the Northampton County Detention Center with a $5,000 secured bond. He had a Feb 16 court date.

Sheriff Smith commended Lt. C. Williams and Deputy T. Antunez for their work in this case.

Dillion Irby, 19, of Roanoke Rapids was arrested Feb.10 and charged with felony breaking and entering, felony larceny, and felony possession of stolen goods.

Irby was placed in the Northampton County Detention Center with a $25,000 secured bond and he had his first appearance Feb. 11.

Lt. Williams was commended by Sheriff Smith for his diligent effort in this case.

On Feb. 10 the Sheriff’s Office arrested Ronnie Mac Gary, 48, of Jackson and charged him with misdemeanor assault by pointing a gun and communicating threats.

He was placed in the Northampton County Detention Center with an $8,000 secured bond and had a Feb. 16 first court appearance.

On Feb. 14 Delanie Shoulders, 32, of Woodland was arrested and charged with habitual misdemeanor assault, felony assault by strangulation, and battery of an unborn child.

He was given a $12,000 secured bond. He had his first appearance Feb. 15.

Sheriff Smith encourages citizens to try and solve their differences in a peaceful and non-violent manner.

The Sheriff’s Office will continue to investigate and file the appropriate charges in these cases.

“We are fortunate that this incident didn’t turn into a more serious incident,” said Smith.