Two North Carolina parents are facing multiple charges after their seven-year-old son was struck and killed by a vehicle while crossing a street unsupervised, authorities confirmed.
Jessica Ivey, 30, and Samuele Jenkins, 31, were charged Thursday with involuntary manslaughter, felony child neglect, and misdemeanor child neglect, according to Gaston County Sheriff’s Office records. Both are being held on a $1.5 million bond.
The incident occurred around 6 p.m. Tuesday on West Hudson Boulevard in Gastonia. Police reported that the boy was hit by an SUV while crossing outside a crosswalk, accompanied only by his 10-year-old brother. The child was rushed to a nearby hospital before being transferred to Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, where he died at approximately 10 p.m.
The SUV driver, a 76-year-old woman, has not been charged. Authorities emphasized adult responsibility in child safety. “This is a tragic situation that should never have occurred,” an official told WBTV.
Ivey and Jenkins were scheduled for a court appearance on Friday. Attempts to reach Gastonia Police and the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office for additional comments were unsuccessful. Community members have since created a memorial at the crash site with balloons and flowers.
Similar Case Recalled
The tragedy echoes a January 2023 case in Leland, North Carolina, where parents Curtis Williams and Mollie Fischer were charged after their eight-month-old son, Maximus Williams, died of asphyxiation.
The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about an unresponsive infant at the couple’s home on January 28. Despite efforts, the child was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators determined the parents had co-slept with the baby in their bed alongside a bassinet.
The parents admitted to sleeping from midnight until 1 p.m. the next day. Toxicology reports revealed prescription and nonprescription drugs in their systems. Williams and Fischer were charged with involuntary manslaughter and negligent child abuse.
Both pleaded guilty in November 2024, with Fischer sentenced to 20–36 months and Williams to 30–48 months in prison. Authorities stress the importance of child supervision, urging vigilance to prevent such tragedies.