Woman Pepper Sprays Household, Uses Toddler as Shield to Avoid Arrest

Craven County deputies say the 22-year-old suspect intentionally assaulted multiple people, including a 3-year-old child.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A 22-year-old woman in Craven County, North Carolina has been arrested after allegedly pepper spraying multiple people inside a home, including a 3-year-old child, and then using that child as a 'physical shield' to try to avoid arrest by deputies.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers of domestic violence and the risks that children can face when caught in the middle of disputes between adults. It also raises concerns about the suspect's mental state and the need for better support systems to prevent such volatile situations from escalating.

The details

According to the Craven County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a 'disturbance' at a home on J.R. Road near New Bern on February 17th. There, they found that Samantha Jo Lowdermilk, 22, had pepper sprayed multiple individuals inside the residence and destroyed property following a dispute. Lowdermilk then allegedly tried to evade arrest by using the 3-year-old child as a shield against the deputies.

  • The incident occurred on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
  • Lowdermilk was arrested and taken to the hospital on February 17, 2026.

The players

Samantha Jo Lowdermilk

A 22-year-old resident of the home where the incident took place, who has been charged with assault on a child under 12, two counts of simple assault, communicating threats, damage to property, and resisting a public officer.

Craven County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that responded to the disturbance call and arrested Lowdermilk.

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What’s next

The Department of Social Services has been notified and will likely investigate the incident further. The judge will also decide whether to allow Lowdermilk to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This disturbing case underscores the need for better support systems and interventions to prevent domestic violence situations from escalating and putting innocent children at risk. It also raises questions about the suspect's mental state and the availability of resources to address such volatile behavior.