A pair of North Carolina parents have been charged with manslaughter for allowing their seven-year-old son to walk home with his older brother, a decision judges say cost him his life.
Legend Jenkins was killed on Tuesday after darting out into traffic in Gastonia. He was walking home from the grocery store with his older brother.
The driver, an unidentified 76-year-old woman, stayed at the scene.
She has not been charged – but the boy’s parents, Sameule and Jessica Jenkins, have.
Prosecutors say they are guilty of involuntary manslaughter and child neglect. The pair are now in jail, and were recently denied a request to attend the boy’s funeral.
Authorities said the older brother tried to pull Legend back from the road, but was too late.
Legend Jenkins died last week after darting out in front of a car while walking home. His parents, who allowed him to walk home alone with his 10-year-old brother, have now been charged
Legend had run out in front of an SUV on this road in Gastonia, North Carolina
The boy’s parents, Sameule Jenkins and Jessica Ivey, were arrested Thursday. They have now been charged with involuntary manslaughter and child neglect
Summer Williams, a witness to the crash, told local outlet WSOC she tried to comfort the young boy as they waited for emergency responders.
‘Just letting him know that somebody was there and he wasn’t alone,’ she told the outlet. ‘Stay with us, sweetheart. You’re going to be alright. Stay with us.”
‘Even at night, I still see his face,’ Williams added.
‘The children were very young. They shouldn’t have been crossing a busy intersection like that in the first place,’ said Williams.
Legend was first rushed to a local hospital and later transferred to a children’s facility in Charlotte.
He succumbed to his injuries four hours later.
Police said the driver is not expected to face charges. There is no evidence she was speeding or driving recklessly.
‘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,’ police wrote in a statement on Facebook.
‘In such cases, adults must be held accountable for their responsibilities to ensure a safe environment for their children.’
Legend was first rushed to a local hospital and later transferred to a children’s facility in Charlotte
‘At this time, there is no evidence of speeding or wrongdoing on the part of the driver, therefore no charges have been filed,’ the statement continued.
‘The driver continues to be cooperative and the incident remains under active investigation by the Gastonia Police Department’s Traffic Division.
Before her arrest, Ivey, the boy’s mother, told the Gaston Gazette the store was close by and it was the first time she had ever let the boys walk home on their own.
At a bond hearing Friday, both parents asked to be released so they could attend their son’s funeral.
The judge denied the request and set bail at $1.5 million each
A fundraiser has been set up by the boy’s family. The GoFundMe has since raised $6,250 raised of its $10K goal.
At a bond hearing Friday, both parents asked to be released so they could attend their son’s funeral. The judge denied the request and set bail at $1.5 million each
‘My baby was only 7 about to be 8 in august and he was tragically killed by a car accident right outside of his neighborhood.
‘He was a mommas boy up and down. He was smart, creative, and even if he was ill would always keep a smile,’ his parents wrote in the description.
‘He loved playing any sports. He was truly a warrior, but after being revived close to twelve times he unfortunately passed away at.
‘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.’
