A 27-year-old man, David Prevatte, is on trial in North Carolina on charges including first-degree murder and statutory sexual offenses in the 2017 death of his 5-year-old niece, Paitin Fields. During Oct. 2 testimony, Prevatte blew a kiss toward the courtroom gallery as his mother, a key witness, broke down and recounted finding Paitin seizing on a couch. Medical staff testified they observed bruising and signs of strangulation, while Hunt said she saw no injuries when she first found the child. The trial is set to resume Monday.
Uncle Charged in 5-Year-Old Niece’s Death Blows Kiss in Court as Witness Breaks Down
Defendant David Prevatte blows a kiss in court on Oct. 2, 2026. (Court TV)
BURGAW, N.C. (Court TV) — A 27-year-old man facing charges that he sexually assaulted and strangled his 5-year-old niece made a provocative gesture in court Friday, blowing a kiss toward the gallery as his mother left the witness stand in tears.
Courtroom Testimony
Prosecutors say David Prevatte killed his niece, Paitin Fields. He is charged with first-degree murder, statutory rape of a child by an adult, and a statutory sexual offense with a child by an adult. Prevatte has pleaded not guilty; his attorney has described the investigation as a "witch hunt."
On Oct. 2, 2026, during testimony, Prevatte smiled, turned toward the courtroom gallery and blew a kiss as his mother, Lisa Hunt, left the stand. Hunt had been called as a witness and frequently became emotional while recounting events from November 2017.
What Witnesses Said
Hunt testified that Prevatte had moved back into the home where Paitin lived with her sister, S.F., 7, Hunt herself and Prevatte's stepfather just days before Paitin died on Nov. 12, 2017. Hunt said it was common for her son to move between her home and his aunt's: "It was just nothing unusual for David to come home," she said.
Hunt told jurors that Paitin had a bad cough that weekend but no fever, so she did not take the child to a doctor. On the night of Nov. 12, Hunt said she moved Paitin from her bed to the living room couch after 9 p.m., where Hunt and S.F. slept. Prevatte returned around 10 p.m. after being out with a friend; Hunt locked the door and went back to bed.
Lisa Hunt cries during her testimony on Oct. 2, 2026. (Court TV)
"I turned around and I seen Paitin on the couch seizing," Hunt testified through tears. "She was pale. She was cold to the touch on top and hot to the touch on the bottom. Just her eyes rolling back in her head, she's seizing."
Hunt said she attempted to call 911 twice but could not initially reach dispatchers; after dispatchers called her back, she placed a frantic call. Because she could not get immediate help by phone, Hunt said Prevatte and his stepfather drove Paitin to the emergency room.
Medical Testimony
Medical staff who treated Paitin testified that they immediately observed bruising and signs of strangulation around the child’s neck. Hunt, however, maintained she saw no injuries when she first found Paitin on the couch that morning: "I seen clearly. There was nothing, and I've said that from the beginning. There was nothing," she said on the stand.
Hunt cried throughout much of her testimony and fought back sobs as the court played the 911 call she ultimately made. Prevatte remained largely expressionless until he blew a kiss as his mother left the stand.
Next Steps
Prevatte’s trial is expected to resume on Monday morning. The proceedings continue as jurors hear testimony and evidence related to Paitin Fields' death in November 2017.
Note: This story contains details of alleged sexual abuse and the death of a child. It is being reported as part of ongoing courtroom coverage.
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