A North Carolina father has been charged with the murder of four of his children, allegedly hiding their decomposing bodies in his car while inviting people he met on a dating app to his home. Wellington Delano Dickens III, 38, was arrested on October 28 and faces four counts of first-degree murder.
According to search warrants released on January 14, Dickens told police he did not torture his children but 'over-punished' them. He allegedly admitted to buying body bags from Amazon and placing the remains of his children in the boot of his car. Police said he then continued to use the Grindr dating app, meeting several people at his home after the deaths.
The victims include a one-month-old baby boy, who Dickens said died of illness and was buried on the property, though no body was found. A five-year-old girl died two months before Dickens called 911, after he claimed to have 'disciplined' her. He allegedly taped the mouth of her nine-year-old sister, who then died when he checked on her. A 10-year-old boy and an 18-year-old stepson also died, reportedly from malnutrition.
When officers searched the home, they found a three-year-old child alive and unharmed. Dickens' wife, Stephanie Jones, had previously died following a miscarriage. State prosecutors announced on December 18 that they will seek the death penalty if Dickens is convicted.
Neighbour Josalyn Tabron expressed shock, saying police had been coming and going but never disclosed the full details. The case has left the community in disbelief.
