Belton, South Carolina — A 14‑year‑old girl’s plea for help led deputies to uncover a grim story of abuse that allegedly stretched for years inside a family home on Murphy Hill Road in Belton. Investigators say the young girl asked law enforcement for help when they arrived at her house on January 2, and what they found shook the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities arrested 38‑year‑old Andrew Joseph Martin, accusing him of sexually abusing the girl over an extended period. Detectives charged him with first‑degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor — one of the most serious charges under South Carolina law when an adult abuses someone under 16.
While the case was unfolding, deputies learned Martin used pressure and manipulation to keep the girl from speaking out. The sheriff’s office says evidence gathered points to a cycle of coercion that kept the abuse hidden for years before the victim reached out.
In a twist that stunned investigators, Martin’s partner, Misty Danielle Norris, 35, admitted she knew about what was happening. According to sheriff’s officials, she acknowledged being aware of the abuse but failed to step in or protect the child. She now faces charges of accessory and unlawful neglect of a child.
Deputies continue to investigate the full details of the case. They say more charges could be filed against Martin as the inquiry deepens, and there’s no indication yet of whether either suspect has entered pleas in court.
Family and neighbors in the quiet Belton community are left trying to understand how such long‑term harm went unnoticed by those closest to it. For the young girl at the center of the case, asking for help was a brave first step toward safety and justice after years of silence.
The sheriff’s office stresses that this investigation remains active and urges anyone with information to come forward to support the ongoing work to protect children and hold offenders accountable.
