Fayetteville man charged with murder after 3-year-old exposed to fentanyl in Hoke County, deputies say

Read the original article on the CBS17 website.

Allen Carter of Fayetteville is charged with second-degree murder in the death of a three-year-old. (Hoke County Sheriffโ€™s Office)

RAEFORD, N.C. (WNCN) โ€“ 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 Sheriffโ€™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 sheriffโ€™s office said.

Investigators with the sheriffโ€™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 sheriffโ€™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 sheriffโ€™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 sheriffโ€™s office, were arrested on gun and drug charges as a result of the search of the home. The sheriffโ€™s office said they were both taken into custody โ€œwithout incidentโ€.

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 sheriffโ€™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 โ€œknowingly, intentionally, or with reckless disregard for human life cause or permit a child to be exposed to a controlled substance (Fentanyl)โ€.

At his first court appearance on Tuesday, Carter was given a $1 million secured bond, according to the sheriffโ€™s office. His next court appearance is listed for March 25.

Multiple arrests made in Hoke County in Robeson death by distribution case

Read the original article on The Robisonian website.

HOKE COUNTY โ€” A man was arrested in Hoke County after he was wanted in a death by distribution case in Robeson County.

DeAngelo Gerald Cobb

The Hoke County Sheriffโ€™s Office announced that on Tuesday members of the Narcotic/Vice Suppression Unit (NVSU), Robeson County Sheriffโ€™s Office and U.S. Marshalโ€™s Fugitive Apprehension Team served an arrest warrant on DeAngelo Gerald Cobb at his residence in the 1800 block of Balfour Road, just north of the Robeson County line outside of Red Springs.

Cobb was wanted out of Robeson County for an arrest warrant in reference to a death by distribution case.

While doing a safety sweep of the home, law enforcement observed marijuana, suspected psilocybin mushrooms, and firearms in plain view. The residence was seized and detectives with the NVSU obtained a narcotic search warrant.

Devin Shytel Southerland-Clark

While serving the search warrant, approximately 4 1/2 pounds of marijuana were found in various rooms throughout the house. Detectives also located four firearms, THC resin, bulk US currency, suspected methamphetamine, packaging materials, and other items of marijuana paraphernalia.

Cobb was transported by Robeson County detectives for the service of their arrest warrant prior to the search being completed.

Detectives with the NVSU swore out additional warrants for Cobb for four counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver marijuana, possession of a Schedule-I controlled substance, maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for the sell/delivery of a controlled substance, and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

Wednesday, the arrest warrants from Hoke County Sheriffโ€™s Office for DeAngelo Cobb were served in Robeson County. Cobb was given a $100,000.00 secured bond for the Hoke County charges and remained in the Robeson County Jail.

After the search, Virginia Carol Clark, Devin Shytel Southerland-Clark, Jacoby Anthony, Ryan McKoy, and Miah Sade Mitchell were placed under arrest by Hoke County Sheriffโ€™s Office and transported to the Hoke County Detention Center.

Clark, Southerland-Clark, McKoy, and Mitchell were all charged at the Hoke County Detention Center with possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver marijuana, possession of a schedule I controlled substance, maintain a vehicle/dwelling for the sell/delivery of a controlled substance, and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

Each received a $20,000 secured bond and a first appearance court date.

The Hoke County Sheriffโ€™s Office would like to thank the US Marshalโ€™s Fugitive Task Force and Robeson County Sheriffโ€™s Office. The investigation is still ongoing.

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