A Sylva resident, Joshua Moore Duls, aged 40 and residing on Allen Street, is currently facing a series of domestic charges, which include allegations of using bear repellent on three individuals, one of whom is a 2-year-old child.
Duls is confronted with three felony charges of kidnapping, two felony charges related to child abuse resulting in serious injury, and one misdemeanor charge of assaulting a female.
According to court records, on Sunday, September 24th, at 5:52 p.m., the Sylva police responded to 183 Allen St., a three-bedroom home spanning 2,000 square feet located just above Town Hall.
Duls is accused of unlawfully detaining an adult woman and two underage individuals. According to the arrest warrants, he confined the minor victims without the consent of their parent or legal guardian, and this act was intended to cause fear and distress. Duls was booked into the Jackson County Detention Center at 9:10 p.m. on Sunday and was initially held on a 48-hour domestic hold, with no bond required. However, his bond was later set at $25,000 secured before the completion of the 48-hour period, and as of Wednesday morning, he remained in custody.
Sylva Police Chief Chris Hatton stated that the investigation is still ongoing, and no further information will be disclosed at this time.
