John Jefferson
Left: Aaron Lynwood Carter (Moore County Detention Center). Right: River Carter (Boles Funeral Home).
A North Carolina man was arrested more than a year after the death of his 2-year-old son after police said he was to blame.
Aaron Lynwood Carter, 27, was charged with involuntary manslaughter and felony child abuse on Jan. 7 following an investigation into his son River’s death on Dec. 2, 2023. The Moore County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that Carter left his toddler son alone for over 12 hours in a room that became overheated. When first responders arrived at the scene, the boy was pronounced dead.
According to police, deputies and emergency medical personnel responded to a distress call concerning an “unresponsive” child at an address in West End, a community located around 85 miles east of Charlotte.
Details about what ensued at the scene were not made available, except the determination that River was dead upon their arrival.
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Police now allege that Carter was responsible for leaving the toddler “isolated” for 12 hours in a room where the temperature increased to dangerous levels due to a space heater. An investigation was conducted into River’s death, and the medical examiner’s findings led to his father’s arrest on Jan. 7. Carter faces two felony charges — involuntary manslaughter and child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury.
A cause of death for the little boy was not provided. According to an obituary, River is survived by a sister and “enjoyed making people smile and giving hugs.” The obituary also said that he “loved anything outside and active, animals, trucks, cars, his family, music and dancing. He had so much character for a 2-year-old. Truly the most genuine and kind soul.”
Carter was booked into the Moore County Detention Center and held on $500,000 bond. His next court date is scheduled for Thursday.
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