A North Carolina man already facing charges for the deaths of his three children and stepson has reportedly admitted to burying a fifth child in the woods.
Wellington Dickens III told authorities that the fifth child, a 1-month-old named Riley, was his son. He claims Riley died shortly after the family moved to a home in Zebulon, east of Raleigh, according to NBC News, WBTV, and Spectrum News 1. Dickens reportedly said the infant began having health problems before passing away and that he buried Riley in a wooded area.
Family members told authorities they never heard from or saw Riley after Dickens moved to Zebulon, and the infant’s death was never reported. Authorities have yet to locate the baby’s remains. Johnston County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jeff Caldwell said the search for Riley is ongoing and noted that improving weather conditions will make recovery efforts easier.
“This investigation remains ongoing with additional details being released when available and appropriate to release,” Caldwell said in a statement.
The shocking case first came to light on October 27, when Dickens reportedly called authorities to confess to killing his other four children. According to an affidavit obtained by NBC News, Dickens told dispatchers he “did not torture his children, he over-disciplined his children, and wanted to turn himself in.”
Deputies responded to Dickens’ home and found a 3-year-old son unharmed, while discovering the bodies of four other children in the trunk of a vehicle in the garage. Officials identified the victims as Leah Dickens, 6; Zoe Dickens, 9; Wellington Dickens IV, 10; and Dickens’ stepson Sean Brasfield, 18. Preliminary reports indicate Wellington IV and Sean died of malnutrition.
According to court documents, Leah died in May after her father checked on her following a disciplinary incident, and Zoe died in August after Dickens allegedly taped her mouth during an argument. Wellington IV died in either August or September, and Sean was allegedly killed in September.
Sean’s mother, Stephanie Rae Jones Dickens, passed away in April 2024. She had been married to Dickens since 2015.
Dickens is currently being held without bond at the Johnston County Jail and faces four counts of murder. Authorities continue searching for Riley’s remains as the investigation unfolds.
He probably doesn’t want to live ash3 took so many lives