Samuele Jenkins, 31, keeps a strong facade during his days at Gaston County Jail, but at night he breaks down, haunted by the death of his 7-year-old son, Legend. The boy was fatally struck by a vehicle after walking two blocks home alone on May 27.
Two days after the tragedy, Jenkins and his wife, Jessica Ivey, were arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter and multiple counts of child abuse. Authorities allege the couple allowed their 10- and 7-year-old children to walk home unsupervised, which led to the fatal accident.
Initially, both were held on $1.5 million bonds, later reduced to $150,000. Jenkins shared in a jail interview how grief overtakes him, saying he has barely had a chance to mourn.
The couple was handcuffed shortly after their son’s death, but community support helped them secure temporary release to attend Legend’s funeral. Jenkins described the moment as both a relief and a painful opportunity to say goodbye.
Jenkins was placed on suicide watch due to the immense emotional toll. Ivey, who is pregnant, also expressed deep anguish, describing the past weeks as an “out-of-body experience.”
The case has sparked national debate about child autonomy and parental responsibility. Many parents questioned the charges, sharing stories of allowing their own children to walk alone, while others emphasized the dangers of the busy intersection.
Legal experts note North Carolina lacks specific laws governing when a child can walk unaccompanied by an adult. The driver involved, a 76-year-old woman, was not charged, with police confirming no evidence of wrongdoing.
Police emphasized the importance of adult responsibility in keeping children safe.
Ivey now faces a tough choice: plead guilty to felony child abuse and risk losing custody of her children, or continue fighting the charges. She said, “I’m just so ready to be home with my kids.”
