Parents charged after 7-year-old struck and killed while crossing Gastonia street unsupervised
GASTONIA, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — An accident that claimed the life of a 7-year-old boy in Gastonia has now resulted in criminal charges against the parents, authorities announced.
The incident occurred around 5:55 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, in the 1000 block of West Hudson Boulevard. Police said the child was crossing the street outside of a designated crosswalk with his 10-year-old brother when he was hit by a Jeep Cherokee driven by a 76-year-old woman.
First responders rushed the injured boy to CaroMont Regional Medical Center. He was later transferred to Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte. Despite the medical staff's efforts, the child died from his injuries and was pronounced dead around 10 p.m.
MORE: Nearly $4,000 raised to support family of 7-year-old killed in Gastonia accident
Police revealed that the young boy was unsupervised at the time of the accident. Now, both parents, Jessica Ivey and Samuele Jenkins, are facing charges in connection with his death.
The parents have been charged with felony involuntary manslaughter, felony child neglect, and misdemeanor child neglect. The decision, police said, was not made lightly.
'In such cases, adults must be held accountable for their responsibilities to ensure a safe environment for their children,' the Gastonia Police Department said.
Police emphasized that there was no indication of speeding or driver negligence. The 76-year-old driver is cooperating with investigators and, at this time, faces no charges.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Stolen truck found burned in York, police seeking surveillance footage
YORK COUNTY, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Deputies located a white 2009 single-cab GMC Sierra pickup truck burned on Kingsbury Road at the York Electric Substation Thursday, May 29. The truck had reportedly been stolen the previous day from an address in Clover. If you live in the area where the truck was found (Kingsbury Road to Highway 55, Oak Creek, Balkan Drive, Agean Lane, and surrounding areas), deputies are asking you to check your surveillance cameras. Contact the York County Sheriff's Office or Crime Stoppers if you have any information about this incident. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
North Carolina parents charged after son is struck and killed by SUV while walking with older brother
A 7-year-old boy was fatally struck by an SUV last week as he tried to cross a road in North Carolina – and now his parents have been arrested and charged for leaving him unsupervised, according to police. Legend Jenkins was hit by a Jeep Cherokee on May 27 at around 6 p.m. while walking with his 10-year-old brother outside a crosswalk in Gastonia, a city west of Charlotte. Their mother told a local news outlet that it was the first time she had allowed them to walk to a nearby grocery store alone. Jenkins was rushed to a nearby medical facility with life-threatening injuries and was later transferred to Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, where he succumbed to his injuries at around 10 p.m. Alabama Mother Charged With The Death Of Her 2 Children, 1 Year Old's Body Still Missing The boy's mother, Jessica Ivey, and his father, Sameule Jenkins, were arrested and charged with felony involuntary manslaughter, felony child neglect and misdemeanor child neglect, the Gastonia Police Department announced two days later. The parents appeared in court on Friday and were both issued a $1.5 million bond, WSOC-TV reports. Read On The Fox News App "While the Gastonia Police Department offers its deepest sympathies to the family for the heartbreaking loss of their child, the investigation revealed that the children involved were unsupervised at the time the boy stepped into traffic," the Gastonia Police Department said in a press release. "In such cases, adults must be held accountable for their responsibilities to ensure a safe environment for their children." The deadly incident took place in the 1000 block of West Hudson Boulevard and the SUV was being driven by a 76-year-old woman. Police said there is no evidence of speeding or wrongdoing on the part of the driver and no charges have been filed. The driver continues to be cooperative and the incident remains under active investigation, police said. Florida Man Arrested For Killing Infant With Car Following Argument With Woman: Police Summer Williams, a witness who tended to the victim at the scene, told WSOC-TV that she saw Legend step out in front of a car as his brother tried to pull him back. "That shocked me," said Williams, who said she stopped her car and held the child in her arms and rubbed him to comfort him. At that time, he was still alive. "Just letting him know that somebody was there and he wasn't alone," Williams said. "Even at night, I still see his face." The boy's father launched a GoFundMe page before he was arrested by police, sharing photos of the victim. In one black-and-white image, Legend is wearing a T-shirt with "#Mama's Boy" emblazoned across the front. "He was a momma's boy up and down. He was smart, creative and even if he was ill would always keep a smile," the post reads, noting Legend was about to turn 8 in August. "He loved playing any sports. He was truly a warrior, but after being revived close to twelve times, he unfortunately passed away. WE ASK that y'all send prayers for our family in this time of heartbreak and if you wish to give, anything would be very grateful."Original article source: North Carolina parents charged after son is struck and killed by SUV while walking with older brother
Fox News
4 hours ago
- Fox News
North Carolina parents charged after son is struck and killed by SUV while walking with older brother
A 7-year-old boy was fatally struck by an SUV last week as he tried to cross a road in North Carolina – and now his parents have been arrested and charged for leaving him unsupervised, according to police. Legend Jenkins was hit by a Jeep Cherokee on May 27 at around 6 p.m. while walking with his 10-year-old brother outside a crosswalk in Gastonia, a city west of Charlotte. Their mother told a local news outlet that it was the first time she had allowed them to walk to a nearby grocery store alone. Jenkins was rushed to a nearby medical facility with life-threatening injuries and was later transferred to Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, where he succumbed to his injuries at around 10 p.m. ALABAMA MOTHER CHARGED WITH THE DEATH OF HER 2 CHILDREN, 1 YEAR OLD'S BODY STILL MISSING The boy's mother, Jessica Ivey, and his father, Sameule Jenkins, were arrested and charged with felony involuntary manslaughter, felony child neglect and misdemeanor child neglect, the Gastonia Police Department announced two days later. The parents appeared in court on Friday and were both issued a $1.5 million bond, WSOC-TV reports. "While the Gastonia Police Department offers its deepest sympathies to the family for the heartbreaking loss of their child, the investigation revealed that the children involved were unsupervised at the time the boy stepped into traffic," the Gastonia Police Department said in a press release. "In such cases, adults must be held accountable for their responsibilities to ensure a safe environment for their children." The deadly incident took place in the 1000 block of West Hudson Boulevard and the SUV was being driven by a 76-year-old woman. Police said there is no evidence of speeding or wrongdoing on the part of the driver and no charges have been filed. The driver continues to be cooperative and the incident remains under active investigation, police said. Summer Williams, a witness who tended to the victim at the scene, told WSOC-TV that she saw Legend step out in front of a car as his brother tried to pull him back. "That shocked me," said Williams, who said she stopped her car and held the child in her arms and rubbed him to comfort him. At that time, he was still alive. "Just letting him know that somebody was there and he wasn't alone," Williams said. "Even at night, I still see his face." The boy's father launched a GoFundMe page before he was arrested by police, sharing photos of the victim. In one black-and-white image, Legend is wearing a T-shirt with "#Mama's Boy" emblazoned across the front. "He was a momma's boy up and down. He was smart, creative and even if he was ill would always keep a smile," the post reads, noting Legend was about to turn 8 in August. "He loved playing any sports. He was truly a warrior, but after being revived close to twelve times, he unfortunately passed away. WE ASK that y'all send prayers for our family in this time of heartbreak and if you wish to give, anything would be very grateful."
