The parents of a 7-year-old boy, tragically struck and killed by a vehicle while attempting to cross a street in North Carolina, have been charged with manslaughter and currently remain in custody on a bond set at $1.5 million. This news is confirmed by local law enforcement.
The incident took place on May 27, in Gastonia, west of Charlotte, when the child was hit by a Jeep Cherokee. Reports indicate the boy was not in a crosswalk at the time of the incident and was accompanied by a 10-year-old, identified as his brother.
Two days after the fatal collision, the parents, Jessica Ivey, 30, and Samuele Jenkins, 31, were charged with felony involuntary manslaughter, felony child neglect, and misdemeanor child neglect.
According to reliable sources within the Gastonia Police Department, the investigation revealed that the children were unsupervised at the time. The department further stated, ‘In such cases, adults must be held accountable for their responsibilities to ensure a safe environment for their children.’
Moving on, during a court appearance on Friday, the parents’ bond was set at $1.5 million. The parents are currently detained in the Gaston County Jail, awaiting their court schedule. As of this moment, they have yet to enter a plea.
As for the driver of the Jeep Cherokee, a 76-year-old female, there have been no charges filed. The police maintain, ‘At this time, there is no evidence of speeding or wrongdoing on the part of the driver…’ and she continues to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
This tragic incident has led to an outpouring of emotions. In an interview with WSOC before their arrest, the boy’s mother, Ivey, expressed her grief and shock, stating, ‘It’s hard. I haven’t stopped crying. My husband hasn’t stopped crying.’
Jenkins, the boy’s father, who was on a call with his sons when the accident occurred, said, ‘I heard my oldest son, he was like, ‘Oh my God, Legend, no, no.’ So I hung up and … I ran to find them.’
This raises important questions about parental responsibility and supervision. The significance of this should not be overlooked, as it underscores the critical need for vigilant attention to children’s safety.
