A mother and her boyfriend are charged with child abuse after a 3-year-old boy died in Dunn.
According to the Dunn Police Department, around 10 a.m. on Monday, officers responded to a home on Ponderosa Drive to assist Dunn EMS with an unresponsive 3-year-old.
Police told WRAL News that 3-year-old Marcos, who is known to his family as “OJ,” was found bruised and battered. The little boy was transported to a local hospital and then flown to a trauma center, where he died from his injuries.
The child’s mother, Sierra Privette, 22, was charged Thursday night with negligent child abuse and jailed under a $1 million bond.
A man at the scene, later identified as Micha Wynn, 24, of Erwin, was charged Monday with felony child abuse inflicting serious injury. Police said further charges are pending. Wynn was taken to the Harnett County Detention Center on a $300,000 bond.
According to an arrest document, Wynn is accused of “unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously” causing brain injury to the 3-year-old, who suffered multiple brain bleeds and hemorrhage to the eyes.
Police said the investigation remains active and more charges may be forthcoming.
Cary Jackson, Dunn’s police chief, spoke to WRAL News about the trauma and toll on first responders.
“It is very devastating,” she said. “It’s painful for officers to process the scene and see everything involved, and as chief of police it’s hard on me.”
Jackson urged people that if they see something, report it.
“If you see something, say something,” Jackson said. “Contact DSS [Division of Social Services], the police department.
“It could be very crucial, and in this case, save a child’s life.”
The Dunn Police Department released the following statement:
“Please keep all the first responders who managed this incident in your thoughts and prayers, along with the family of the victim. It is hard to understand why incidents such as this happen in our community; however, we will conduct a thorough investigation and see that justice is served for the innocent victim of violence in this case.”
The city of Dunn will plan a vigil for Marcos, according to Jackson.
Marcos’ grandmother created a GoFundMe to raise funds to help plan a memorial service for her grandson.
On Saturday, 10% of the Pizza Inn’s proceeds at 1138 Broad St. will pay for Marcos’ funeral expenses. The restaurant is also holding a raffle and back sale on Saturday with 50% of those proceeds going to the funeral expenses.
