3 WTKR Coastal VA | Northeast NC
1 weather alerts 1 closings/delays
Watch Now
Watch Now
1 weather alerts 1 closings/delays
3 WTKR Coastal VA | Northeast NC
Watch Now
Watch Now
Close ×
Live Watch
Alerts
  • News
    • Positively Hampton Roads
    • Crime
    • Military
    • Environment
    • National
    • Health
    • Politics
    • Food & Entertainment
    • App Center
  • Weather
    • Maps & Radar
    • Daily Forecast
    • Hurricane Resources
    • Hampton Roads Closings & Delays
  • In Your Community
    • Norfolk
    • Virginia Beach
    • Chesapeake
    • Hampton
    • Newport News
    • Suffolk
    • Portsmouth
    • Eastern Shore
    • Outer Banks
    • Gloucester County
    • Williamsburg, James City County, Yorktown
    • Southampton-Surry
    • Isle of Wight-Franklin
    • Northeastern North Carolina
  • Investigations
  • Positively Hampton Roads
  • Sports
    • Student Athlete of the Week
    • Washington NFL
    • College
    • High School
    • Hampton Roads High School Scores
    • Locker Room
  • Live Hampton Roads traffic updates
  • News 3 Everyday Hero
  • Coast Live
    • About Coast Live
    • Contests
  • Contact Us
    • News 3 Team
    • App Center
    • Jobs at News 3
    • Sales Team
  • Contests
  • WGNT: Your home for local news & sports
    • WGNT Program Schedule
  • Team 3 Professionals
  • Sign In
  • Newsletters
  • Sign Out
  • Manage Emails
  • Apps
  • Careers Search
  • News
  • Weather
  • Live Traffic
  • In Your Neighborhood
  • Sports
  • Positively Hampton Roads
  • Everyday Hero
  • Team 3 Pros
  • Contests
  • Coast Live
  • News 3 Team
  • WTKR/WGNT TV Schedule
  • Dream Home Giveaway
1 weather alerts 1 closings/delays
News

Actions

  • Facebook
  • Tweet
  • Email

Doctor says dead 2-year-old girl’s injuries consistent with severe physical abuse

Prev Next
By: Margaret Kavanagh
Posted
and last updated

NORFOLK, Va. – New information gives insight into how a 2-year-old girl died after being rushed to the hospital back in May.

Her mother and stepfather remained locked up being held without bond after authorities charged them with child abuse and malicious wounding.

Recently unsealed court records state that when Evalynn Arnold arrived at the Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughters she had severe swelling of the brain, a lacerated liver and left kidney along with bruises to her head and face.

Norfolk Police were called to the 700 block of Lexington Street for an unresponsive child on May 25th. The girl was taken to the hospital and listed in critical condition. A few days later, Norfolk Police said the child died from her injuries.

Destiny Martin and Robert Griffis appeared in a Norfolk Juvenile Domestic Relations Court back in May. Martin could be heard crying as she made her way into the courtroom.  Griffis showed no emotions in the courtroom.

Records indicate that Martin allegedly told investigators that she woke up at 3:30 a.m. and Griffis drove her to work with the little girl. It states that during the interview Griffis said he placed the child in her bed and he fell asleep.  He allegedly said at 6:30 a.m. she was fine and at 7:30 a.m. he noticed that she was face down with her head in her pillow, then turned her over and noticed she was limp, according to court documents.

He said she was blue and not breathing and he called 911.

Records state that a doctor at the hospital said the “child’s injuries were consistent with severe physical abuse.”

When Martin and Griffis were both charged with malicous wounding, child abuse with disregard of life and child abuse with serious injuries.

We reached out to Martin's attorney, Stephaine Johnson who issued a statement on behalf of her client:

"My client has maintained her innocence. She never harmed her child. She never let anyone harm her child. She should be released and the charges should be dismissed.  They are holding the wrong person. 
Destiny is not to blame."
 Both Martin and Griffis are scheduled to have another court hearing on October 12.

The Medical Examiner told News 3 on Friday that both the cause and manner of death for the little girl are still pending.

Copyright 2025 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Sign up for the Headlines Newsletter and receive up to date information.

now signed up to receive the Headlines Newsletter.

Click here to manage all Newsletters

Dream Home Giveaway

  • News
  • Weather
  • Live Hampton Roads traffic updates
  • Support
  • Sitemap
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Center
  • Terms of Use
  • EEO
  • WTKR FCC Public File
  • WGNT FCC Public File
  • FCC Application
  • Public File Contact Us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Scripps Media Trust Center
  • Closed Captioning Contact
  • WTKR3
  • wtkr3
  • WTKR3
Scripps News Group
© 2025 Scripps Media, Inc
Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way