A tragic incident unfolded in Johnston County on Monday night when 38-year-old Wellington Delano Dickens III was arrested on suspicion of murdering his four children. The tense situation began when Dickens himself called 911 to report the horrific acts he had committed.
Responding to the urgent call, deputies arrived at the family residence on Springtooth Drive in Zebulon. Upon their arrival, Dickens revealed to the officers that his 3-year-old son was alive inside the house. However, he also disclosed that the remains of his other four children—three biological children aged 6, 9, and 10, along with an 18-year-old stepchild—were located inside the trunk of a car in the garage.
Authorities corroborated Dickens’ account, confirming the survival of the 3-year-old. They discovered human remains in the trunk, indicating that they had possibly been there for an extended period. With this grim evidence, the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office promptly secured a search warrant for the home and proceeded to gather information regarding the tragic events that had transpired.
Dickens is currently charged with one count of murder concerning the death of one of his juvenile children, but the sheriff’s office indicated that additional charges related to the other deaths are anticipated. He is currently being held without the possibility of bond as the investigation remains ongoing.
This heartbreaking case has garnered significant attention, illuminating the serious societal issues surrounding domestic violence and the protection of children. As the investigation continues, the community is left grappling with the tragedy of such a senseless loss of life.