In December 2021, Clovis Police were dispatched to the emergency department of Valley Children’s Hospital for allegations of possible child abuse. Officers met with Fresno County Child Protective Services (CPS) and began their initial investigation. That evening, the 5-year-old victim and two other children in the care of the suspect and their biological mother, were taken by Officers and CPS, and placed with family. Patrol officers took a felony child abuse case, listing both the biological mother, identified as 46 year-old Ann James, and the children’s stepfather, 33 year-old Nicholas James, as suspects.

Clovis Police Detectives were assigned the case and continued the investigation with additional follow-up. On January 5, 2022, Detectives served a search warrant in the 2500 block of DeWitt Ave at the James’ home. During the search warrant, both Nicholas and Ann James were arrested without incident. This will be Nicholas’ third arrest for child abuse, and he was booked into Fresno County Jail for felony child abuse, aggravated battery causing serious bodily injury, and felony child endangerment. Ann James was booked for one count of felony child endangerment. The victim in this case was treated and released from the hospital.

If you have information of possible child abuse or are concerned for the well-being of any child in Fresno County, you’re urged to contact the 24-hour hotline for Fresno County CPS at (559) 600-8320, or law enforcement.

Due to California’s AB1475 law, we are not posting the booking photos of either suspect arrested.