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RAEFORD, N.C. (WNCN) – A continued investigation has led to a Fayetteville man being charged with murder in the death of a three-year-old child, according to the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation began Dec. 4, 2025, after an unresponsive child was brought to a local hospital and pronounced dead by medical staff, the sheriff’s office said.
Investigators with the sheriff’s office began a death investigation, which led to information that warranted bringing in the Criminal Investigation Division to search a home in the 1500 block of Campbell Road the night of Dec. 5, 2025.
The sheriff’s office said the search was a multiagency affair, with K-9, Special Operations and Narcotics/Vice Suppression units assisting in the search. During the search, the sheriff’s office said drugs and guns were recovered from the home.
Allen Carter and Bridget Leach, who had no relation to the child who died, according to the sheriff’s office, were arrested on gun and drug charges as a result of the search of the home. The sheriff’s office said they were both taken into custody “without incident”.
Court documents show Carter is charged with possession of scheduled one controlled substance, obstructing justice, two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a schedule six controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a schedule one controlled substance, maintaining a dwelling/place for a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting/delaying/obstructing an officer and maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance.
Leach, according to court documents, was charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a schedule six controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a schedule one controlled substance, maintaining a dwelling/place for a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia.
On Monday, deputies say further investigation led the sheriff’s office to charge Carter with second degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, exposing a child to a controlled substance, and felony child abuse.
According to his arrest warrant, Carter is to have alleged to “knowingly, intentionally, or with reckless disregard for human life cause or permit a child to be exposed to a controlled substance (Fentanyl)”.
At his first court appearance on Tuesday, Carter was given a $1 million secured bond, according to the sheriff’s office. His next court appearance is listed for March 25.