Zebulon, NC – Newly released court documents reveal disturbing new allegations in the case of Wellington Dickens III, the 38-year-old North Carolina father charged with killing four of his children. Investigators say Dickens told authorities last month that he not only killed four children whose bodies were later found, but that a fifth child, an infant named Riley, died earlier and was buried in the woods behind the family’s home.
The information comes from an affidavit obtained by NBC News, which outlines Dickens’ statements to investigators following his dramatic Oct. 27 call to 911.
Details of the Fifth Child’s Death
According to the affidavit filed by the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, Dickens said 1-month-old Riley was his youngest child. After moving to a home in Zebulon, the baby’s health declined, and Dickens claimed he wrapped the infant in plastic or paper before burying him behind the property.
Authorities searched the described area but have not yet located the remains. Investigators say better weather and additional resources may be needed before the recovery effort continues. Relatives told law enforcement they never saw or heard from Riley after Dickens relocated to the Zebulon residence.
The 911 Call That Uncovered the Case
Court documents show Dickens called 911 just after 10 p.m. on Oct. 27, telling the dispatcher that he had killed four of his children and placed their bodies in the trunk of his car.
“He did not torture his children, he over-disciplined his children and was wanting to turn himself in,”
the affidavit notes.
When deputies arrived, they found a 3-year-old child unharmed in the home and discovered a body bag inside the trunk of a Honda Civic parked in the garage. Deputies reported a strong odor of decomposition and an “overwhelming amount of bugs” surrounding the bag.
Identification of the Victims
The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office identified the four deceased children as:
- Leah Dickens, 6
- Zoe Dickens, 9
- Wellington Dickens IV, 10
- Sean Brasfield, 18, Dickens’ stepchild
Officials said the remains appeared to have been in the vehicle for a long period of time.
What Dickens Told Investigators
According to the affidavit, Dickens described a pattern of harsh and often fatal “discipline” that resulted in the deaths of multiple children.
He told authorities that:
- Wellington Dickens IV, the 10-year-old, was being taught how to box and eventually stopped eating. Dickens said the boy appeared to have died from malnutrition.
- Sean Brasfield, 18, also appeared to have died from malnutrition, according to Dickens’ account.
- Leah, 6, died about two months earlier after Dickens said he “disciplined” her. He later found her unresponsive.
- Zoe, 9, began making comments about her sister Leah’s death, and Dickens said he taped her mouth shut as punishment. “When he returned to check on her, she was found to be deceased,”
the affidavit states.
Ongoing Search for Baby Riley
Authorities have not yet located the remains of the infant Riley. Johnston County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jeff Caldwell confirmed Tuesday that the search is ongoing but said no additional charges have been filed at this time.
Dickens is currently being held without bond on multiple murder charges. His attorney has not responded to requests for comment.
Community Impact and Safety Concerns
Cases involving severe child abuse and unreported deaths raise significant concerns about how such tragedies remain undetected. Child protection experts say that prolonged isolation, sudden relocation, and lack of school or medical records are common red flags in similar cases.
Communities are urged to report warning signs such as:
- Children missing from school or daily activities
- Adults preventing outside contact
- Signs of malnutrition or untreated injuries
Authorities emphasize that reporting concerns early can mean the difference between intervention and tragedy.
Conclusion
The unfolding case of Wellington Dickens III has shocked the Zebulon community and much of North Carolina. As investigators continue searching for the remains of baby Riley, new details from court documents paint a deeply troubling picture of abuse, neglect, and unreported deaths within a single household.
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