A North Carolina father has been charged with the murders of his 4 youngsters after he known as 911 to chillingly confess the killings.
Wellington Delano Dickens III, 38, was arrested Tuesday at his house in Zebulon — about 20 miles outdoors of Raleigh — after he allegedly informed 911 operators that he had killed his youngsters, the Johnston County Sheriff’s Workplace stated in a press launch.
Deputies arrived on the house round 10 p.m., the place Dickens knowledgeable them that the kids had been lifeless contained in the trunk of a automotive within the storage.
Inside, officers found “what had been believed to be a number of our bodies” within the trunk of a two-door Honda sedan parked within the storage, authorities stated.
The victims had been recognized as Dickens’ organic youngsters — Leah Dickens, 6, Zoe Dickens, 9, and Wellington Dickens, 10 — alongside along with his 18-year-old stepchild, Sean Brassfield.
Deputies additionally discovered Dickens’ 3-year-old son alive and unhurt inside the house.
Through the preliminary investigation, the sheriff’s workplace stated the stays appeared to have been there for an prolonged interval.
Authorities consider the 4 youngsters have been lifeless since Could 1, in keeping with courtroom information obtained by USA At present.
Dickens was arraigned Tuesday afternoon and charged with first-degree homicide. He’s at present being held on the Johnston County Jail with out bond.
Information present Dickens’ spouse, Stephanie Rae Jones Dickens, died in April 2024 — forsaking 5 youngsters who continued dwelling within the household’s Zebulon house.
An obituary stated Jones Dickens “handed away abruptly at her house,” in keeping with a web based obituary.
Her demise got here a couple of yr after Dickens’ father died in a box-truck collision in Lee County, USA At present reported.
Dickens’ great-uncle, Charles Moore, informed WRAL-TV that the Iraq Warfare veteran “appeared high quality” when he final noticed him a couple of yr in the past.
“Like anyone else I used to be simply shocked,” Moore informed the outlet. “You hear it, speak about it taking place to different individuals. You simply wouldn’t suppose it could occur to one in all your personal.”
Nonetheless, Moore acknowledged that the alleged baby homicide wasn’t the identical after serving within the navy.
“We all know he had somewhat downside,” Moore stated. “He was within the service, and he had an issue ever since he got here again, I believe.”
Subsequent-door neighbor Debra Riley additionally stated she’s struggling to piece collectively what occurred.
“My coronary heart simply breaks for the kids, and for the 3-year-old that’s left as a result of he has no dad and mom or siblings left,” Rily stated.
Neighbor Fran Majkowski stated the grotesque discovery has shocked the neighborhood.
“I stroll by that home virtually each single day,” Majkowski informed the outlet.
Whereas Majkowski had no private relationship with Dickens or his household, she did bear in mind once they moved into the neighborhood.
“I by no means noticed a toddler outdoors enjoying. I by no means noticed him mowing a garden,” she stated.
“The one time I ever noticed them was the day they moved in and like I stated … it was very … you simply get the sensation somebody is to themselves.”
Nonetheless, Majkowski stated she and different neighbors reached out to assist Dickens in 2024 following his spouse’s passing.
“It’s a fairly new neighborhood,” Majkowski stated. “I’ve been right here three years, most others only a yr or two — and everybody got here collectively. There was an outpouring of assist.”
Riley added that Dickens “began maintaining to himself” and have become extra of a recluse after his spouse handed away.
Dickens is due again in courtroom on Wednesday.
If convicted, he faces a most sentence of life with out parole or the demise penalty.
