ZEBULON, N.C. — Newly unsealed warrants indicate that a father facing multiple murder charges in Zebulon is connected to the death of a fifth child, whose burial site remains undiscovered. Wellington Dickens III is accused of killing his four children due to neglect and excessive punishment.
In October, Dickens called emergency services, confessing to the deaths of his three biological children and his stepson. He described his actions as the result of severe discipline, claiming he had not used any weapons in their deaths. The investigation has raised serious questions about the circumstances surrounding the family and the hidden tragedy of a fifth child, named Riley, who allegedly died shortly after the family moved into their home in May.
Court documents reveal that Dickens buried Riley in an unmarked grave behind their residence shortly after the infant’s health worsened. At the time of death, the child was about one month old. It remains unclear how Riley died, as there are no records indicating the child’s passing was reported to authorities.
Family members reportedly told investigators they had not seen or heard about Riley since the family’s relocation, raising suspicions about the child’s fate. As law enforcement continues to search the vicinity for Riley’s grave, they have yet to find any evidence of the infant’s remains.
According to neighbors, investigators from the local sheriff’s department and the State Bureau of Investigation have visited the property multiple times since Dickens’s arrest. A video shared by residents shows Dickens in restraints at the home during one of these visits, wearing a jumpsuit and appearing visibly distressed.
Details from the warrants shed light on the tragic timeline of the other children’s deaths. Dickens indicated that his 5-year-old daughter, Leah, was the first to die, following an episode of discipline. He further admitted to tape-mouthed his 9-year-old daughter, Zoe, claiming it was a form of punishment when she began inquiring about her sister. Both children were later found deceased by Dickens.
The investigation continues as Dickens provided accounts of his 10-year-old son, Wellington IV, and his 18-year-old stepson, Sean Brasfield, also dying under similar conditions attributed to malnutrition. The warrants indicated Dickens had sought to conceal evidence within the family home, having recently repainted several areas and searched for specific types of paint capable of masking stains.
Law enforcement officials are now considering employing chemical techniques to detect potential bloodstains underlying the fresh paint, further complicating the investigation. Investigators remain actively involved in the case, working to uncover the full scope of this tragic event while the community grapples with the implications of these heart-wrenching allegations.