N.C. dad accused of killing 4 kids admits to death of fifth child

Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News on Nov 18, 2025

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North Carolina father Wellington Delano Dickens III has allegedly admitted to the death of a fifth child after cops found four of his kids in the trunk of his car last month.

The 38-year-old was arrested on Oct. 27 after he called 911 to report that he’d kill his kids, according to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office. When deputies arrived to his home in Zebulon, they found four bodies that appeared to have been in Dickens’ trunk “for a long period of time.”

Dickens allegedly told investigators the first of his children to die was a 6-year-old girl he’d disciplined several months prior. He’s accused of later killing that child’s 9-year-old sister by taping her mouth shut when she spoke about her sibling’s demise, reported Charlotte station WBTV.

His 10-year-old son and 18-year-old stepson were also found dead, police said. The suspect allegedly told investigators he suspected malnutrition was the reason for their deaths.

According to search warrants newly obtained by WBTV, Dickens also admitted to authorities that a fifth child — a 1-month-old boy — had died shortly after they moved into the home. He said his death was the result of an illness and that he’d buried the boy in an unmarked 4-foot hole.

The body of that child had not been found as of Tuesday afternoon.

Dickens allegedly claimed he didn’t torture his children, but may have punished them harshly.

The Johnston County Sheriff’s Department reported finding a 3-year-old boy in his home when they discovered the dead children’s bodies last month. That child appeared unharmed.

Cops said they also found an “unusual amount” of cleaning supplies and signs of a “hasty” paint job in some parts of the house.

Dickens was indicted earlier this month on four counts of murder.

Police have released few other details into what led up to the children’s deaths, and investigators are still trying to determine a motive.

According to Sheriff Steve Bizzell, Dickens’ wife and the mother of the four older kids died in April 2024, however her death was ruled natural as a result of complications from a miscarriage.