Parents are charged after their son, 7, is struck dead in a car accident
The grieving parents of a 7-year-old child who died hours after being hit by a car were charged with involuntary manslaughter after allowing him and his brother, 10, to walk home unaccompanied by an adult from a nearby grocery store.
Jessica Ivey and Samuele Jenkins were charged two days after their son Legend died from injuries caused by being struck by a Jeep on May 27 in Gastonia, a rural town in North Carolina. The 76-year-old driver will not face any charges.
The Food Lion store is two blocks away from their home. The parents said the children were with their mother when they asked to meet their father at the store, and she allowed them to leave, according to the Gaston Gazette. The brothers had to cross the busy, four-lane road, but attempted to go between crosswalks.
Witnesses told WSOC-TV Gastonia that Legend stepped into traffic as his older brother attempted to hold him back.
Jenkins said he was on the phone with his elder son when the younger child was hit.
'I heard my oldest son yell, 'Legend, no!' so I hung up and ran. I just ran to find them,' he told the local television station.
Two days later, Gastonia police arrested the parents, who are being held on $1.5 million bond.
'In such cases, adults must be held accountable for their responsibilities to ensure a safe environment for their children,' police said in a statement.
Gastonia police declined to comment to NBC News, but said in a statement that 'there is no evidence of speeding or wrongdoing on the part of the driver, therefore no charges have been filed. The driver continues to be cooperative and the incident remains under active investigation by the Gastonia Police Department's Traffic Division.'
The parents' public defenders did not respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.
Ivey, the mother, said before her arrest to WSOC that it was the first time she let the children walk alone.
'It was just devastating, I'm still in shock, I'm in shock,' she said. 'It's hard, I haven't stopped crying; my husband hasn't stopped crying. Honestly, I want justice for my baby.'
Summer Williams was in her car and witnessed the event. She told WSOC that Legend, apparently unaware of oncoming traffic, jumped into the street to the surprise of his brother, who tried to stop him. Williams said she comforted the child until paramedics arrived.
'Even at night, I still see his face,' she said. 'Just letting him know that somebody was there and he wasn't alone. 'Stay with us, sweetheart. You're going to be all right. Stay with us,'' Williams said she told the child.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
12 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Gwynedd man struck teenager who he thought was trespassing
George Kovacs told Kian Williams, who was 17 at time, 'come back again and I will slice you'. Kovacs, 57, of Ty Uchaf, Ceunant, was jailed for two years and nine months at Caernarfon Crown Court today (June 6), having admitted wounding. Prosecutor Amy Edwards said on December 17, 2022, Williams and a friend had been climbing for a short time in the Waunfawr area when they noticed an abandoned outbuilding. As they approached it, a vehicle being driven by Kovacs drove past them and then reversed – Kovacs then got out and shouted: 'What the f*** are you boys doing here?' Mr Williams apologised, but Kovacs continued 'ranting' – Mr Williams then told him: 'There's no need to be a d*** about it.' Kovacs then struck Mr Williams' hand with a fence post with such force that it caused the post to snap. He then followed him before pinning him against a wall, where he aimed punches at him which made no contact. Mr Williams broke free and moved away, but Kovacs then struck him twice with a metal pole. Kovacs told Mr Williams: 'I'm going to kill you… come back again and I will slice you.' After being taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd by his father, Mr Williams was found to have fractures and required surgery. He described the pain Kovacs inflicted on him as 'unbearable', and said it rendered him unable to walk or stand up at first. After the assault, Kovacs posted a Facebook status, extracts from which read: 'The lads who came from to my place, don't come back… otherwise, you won't be going home with just a limp. Merry Christmas.' Mr Williams said he still feels pain in his wrist, adding: 'I constantly think of him when I go outside. 'This incident has taught me a lot of lessons about the man I want to be. I want to be the complete opposite of him.' Kovacs, who had five previous convictions for eight offences, claimed his actions were justified as he was 'protecting his property'. Representing him, Laura Knightly said none of his previous convictions are for violence, and described him as a 'hard-working man' in full-time employment. She added that Kovacs had a 'difficult childhood', and suffers from several health conditions for which he is medicated. He lives in a 'secluded area' with his wife and children, and 'completely regrets' his 'inexcusable' actions. Ms Knightly said added that the incident was 'out of character' for Kovacs. Sentencing, Judge Timothy Petts also imposed a 10-year restraining order for Mr Williams' protection. He told Kovacs: 'What you did went far beyond anything you reasonably thought you could do to protect that property.'
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Men jailed after crack cocaine worth £30k seized in Northants
A man has been jailed for 14 years after £30k worth of class A drugs were seized at a storage facility and a pub than 80 wraps of crack cocaine which Karl Williams, 29, intended to sell in the Corby area of Northamptonshire were found in a rented Maciness, 32, who was used by Williams as a drugs runner, was sent to prison for four Police said the sentences "reflect the gravity of their offending". The activities of Williams, of no fixed address, were investigated as part of Operation Firebrand, which focused on the organised supply of class A drugs in Insp Carrie Powers, from Northamptonshire Police's serious and organised crime team, said: "The investigation identified that Williams was involved in the supply of cocaine, using the aliases and identities of other people to rent accommodation and to transfer money earned from his crimes."It was obvious Williams was living beyond his means and this was as a result of the significant amount of drugs he was supplying." Four police operations led to "significant" seizures of cocaine, cash and high-value was arrested three times throughout the took place in several places, including a storage facility in April 2023 and a pub outbuilding in November A drugs worth up to £30,365 were recovered. Williams and Maciness were both charged with being involved in the supply of Class A drugs and Williams was also accused of offences under the Proceeds of Crime pleaded guilty to all the charges and Williams was sentenced to 14 years in jail at Northampton Crown Court on 30 also of no fixed address, received a four-year Insp Powers added: "Everyone involved in this investigation has shown complete dedication and professionalism in securing the convictions of these two men and I am glad that the sentences given reflect the gravity of their offending." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
NBC News
2 days ago
- NBC News
Parents are charged after their son, 7, is struck dead in a car accident
The grieving parents of a 7-year-old child who died hours after being hit by a car were charged with involuntary manslaughter after allowing him and his brother, 10, to walk home unaccompanied by an adult from a nearby grocery store. Jessica Ivey and Samuele Jenkins were charged two days after their son Legend died from injuries caused by being struck by a Jeep on May 27 in Gastonia, a rural town in North Carolina. The 76-year-old driver will not face any charges. The Food Lion store is two blocks away from their home. The parents said the children were with their mother when they asked to meet their father at the store, and she allowed them to leave, according to the Gaston Gazette. The brothers had to cross the busy, four-lane road, but attempted to go between crosswalks. Witnesses told WSOC-TV Gastonia that Legend stepped into traffic as his older brother attempted to hold him back. Jenkins said he was on the phone with his elder son when the younger child was hit. 'I heard my oldest son yell, 'Legend, no!' so I hung up and ran. I just ran to find them,' he told the local television station. Two days later, Gastonia police arrested the parents, who are being held on $1.5 million bond. 'In such cases, adults must be held accountable for their responsibilities to ensure a safe environment for their children,' police said in a statement. Gastonia police declined to comment to NBC News, but said in a statement that 'there is no evidence of speeding or wrongdoing on the part of the driver, therefore no charges have been filed. The driver continues to be cooperative and the incident remains under active investigation by the Gastonia Police Department's Traffic Division.' The parents' public defenders did not respond to a request for comment on Wednesday. Ivey, the mother, said before her arrest to WSOC that it was the first time she let the children walk alone. 'It was just devastating, I'm still in shock, I'm in shock,' she said. 'It's hard, I haven't stopped crying; my husband hasn't stopped crying. Honestly, I want justice for my baby.' Summer Williams was in her car and witnessed the event. She told WSOC that Legend, apparently unaware of oncoming traffic, jumped into the street to the surprise of his brother, who tried to stop him. Williams said she comforted the child until paramedics arrived. 'Even at night, I still see his face,' she said. 'Just letting him know that somebody was there and he wasn't alone. 'Stay with us, sweetheart. You're going to be all right. Stay with us,'' Williams said she told the child.
