Surry County, N.C.— The troubling circumstances surrounding the death of four-year-old Skyler Wilson have led to serious criminal charges against his adoptive parents, Joseph Paul Wilson and Jodi Ann Wilson of Mount Airy. The couple has been accused of murder and felony child abuse inflicting serious injury, charges that stem from an alleged abuse case involving disproven therapeutic techniques. Nearly two years after the tragic incident, the Wilsons have yet to see a court trial, with their proceedings now rescheduled for June 2025.
In early January 2023, what was initially a concerning message from Jodi Wilson to her husband about a “problem” with swaddling quickly escalated into a dire situation. Skyler was reportedly found wrapped in a blanket, face-down on the living room floor, secured with duct tape. This alarming discovery prompted an immediate hospitalization where Skyler succumbed to a hypoxic brain injury — a fatal condition caused by sustained oxygen deprivation to the brain.
The Department of Social Services in Surry County was informed of the boy’s condition soon after he was hospitalized. Following Skyler’s death, a series of interviews and investigations unveiled harrowing details about the treatment Skyler and his brother received under the Wilsons’ care. Allegations included forced swaddling, food restrictions, excessive solitary confinement, and even exorcisms.
Legal responses followed swiftly, with the Wilsons arrested and charged with murder on January 13, 2023. A grand jury later increased the severity of their charges to include felony child abuse in October 2024. With their three biological children and Skyler’s brother taken into protective custody, the case has drawn sharp criticism and attention to the use of unlicensed therapeutic methods by adoptive parents.
Central to the controversy is the influence of Nancy Thomas, a self-proclaimed “professional therapeutic parent” with no formal licensure in childhood therapies. Thomas is known for advocating attachment therapy, which includes restraining practices and heavy surveillance — methods that have been debunked by medical professionals as harmful.
During the investigation, police confiscated numerous items from the Wilsons’ home. Among them were white surveillance cameras, sport wraps, and electronic devices, which depicted a controlled and monitored environment. Investigators also discovered that the Wilsons participated in a recorded session with Nancy Thomas, highlighting their adherence to her controversial methods.
The case not only impacts the involved family but raises broader questions about the oversight of adoptive therapies and the treatments endorsed for managing children with behavioral issues. It draws eerie parallels between Skyler’s case and the death of Candace Newmaker in Colorado in 2000, who was also a victim of a risky therapeutic technique known as a “rebirthing ceremony.”
Medical experts and child psychologists emphasize the distinction between legitimate attachment theory — which focuses on the importance of emotional bonds between children and caregivers — and the disputed practices known as attachment therapy advocated by individuals like Thomas.
As the legal proceedings continue, the case serves as a grim reminder of the critical oversight needed in child welfare and adoption practices. It underscores the dangers of adopting unconventional—and unverified—therapeutic practices that have not only discredited those implementing them but have also led to tragic outcomes. The delayed trial leaves the community and advocates for child safety in anticipation, hoping for justice and reforms in the systems meant to protect the most vulnerable.