A North Carolina father, Wellington Dickens, has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly confessing to killing four of his children and hiding their remains in a car trunk at his Zebulon home. The case has sparked public outrage and raised questions about the state of mental health services and child protection systems in the region.
The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies responded to Dickens’ home just after 10 p.m. on Oct. 27 after he called 911 to confess to killing four of his children and hiding their bodies in a car parked inside his garage. During the 911 call, Dickens allegedly told the dispatcher that he had over-disciplined his children, leading to the tragic outcome.
Authorities have not yet released details about how the children died, but the state medical examiner’s office is still examining the remains to determine the causes of death. Meanwhile, the search for the fifth child, an infant whose remains were allegedly buried behind the house, is set to resume once weather conditions improve.
Neighbors described the family as reclusive, with the children homeschooled and rarely seen outside. The sheriff expressed deep concern about the case, stating that it has affected every first responder who encountered the situation. The emotional impact of the case is expected to have long-lasting effects on both the community and the legal system.