INDIAN TRAIL, N.C. — An Indian Trail teen is facing criminal charges after detectives said he illegally tattooed an underage girl.
Deputies arrested 18-year-old Matthew Hutchens Wednesday after they said the girl's father reported his 17-year-old daughter paid Hutchens to tattoo her lower stomach.
"You have to be a licensed and certified tattoo artist for safety reasons," said Detective Wayne Mullis.
Authorities said Hutchens is neither licensed nor certified, and that tattooing anyone under the age of 18 is illegal.
Investigators are now warning about the possible health risks, saying the health department can't regulate the sanitary conditions inside private homes.
"The law in basically in place to protect young people from making mistakes in unknown circumstances that could cause serious health risks," said Mullis.
Eyewitness News spoke with the victim's father, who said his daughter's blood is now being tested to make sure her tattoo was safe. He also said Hutchens may have tattooed other students at the nearby Sun Valley High School, a possibility authorities are now investigating.
Channel 9 went to Hutchens' home Thursday, where he screamed and cursed from a bedroom window but refused an on-camera interview.
A woman who identified herself as Hutchens' grandmother told Channel 9 she had no knowledge of any tattooing taking place inside the house.
"He's a very good kid, an honest kid, a worker," she said.
Union County authorities are asking anyone with any information to contact their Indian Trail office.
WSOC
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