NORTH CAROLINA – Three women face child abuse charges and potential murder indictments after a 6-year-old girl was found dead weighing only 27 pounds, with investigators discovering she had been confined in a dog crate and subjected to horrific conditions in a rat-infested home.
Dominique Moody died in mid-December 2025 under circumstances that prosecutors say may lead to murder by torture charges once additional lab results are received.
The charged individuals are Tonya McKnight, 51, the girl’s legal guardian and aunt; Tery’n McKnight, identified as Moody’s adopted sister; and Susan Robinson, another resident of the home. All three face five counts of child abuse and are being held without bail.
When McKnight called 911 on December 16, officers who responded to the residence encountered horrific living conditions. The home contained “a strong odor of feces and urine,” was heavily rat-infested, and cluttered with human and animal waste throughout.
Medical evidence revealed Dominique had suffered extensive abuse over a prolonged period. Examiners documented burn scars, rib fractures, and injuries from prolonged exposure to soiled diapers. Other children in the home told investigators that Dominique was frequently confined in a dog crate.
Court records show McKnight obtained custody of Dominique in 2020, claiming the children’s biological mother was “unstable and not equipped to care for the children.” A court order formalized the custody arrangement in 2021.
Police records indicate officers had responded to the home five times since 2022, though the nature of those calls has not been disclosed.
Three other young children between the ages of 1 and 4 also lived at the residence. Their current status and placement has not been publicly released.
Prosecutors are awaiting laboratory results that could elevate the charges to murder by torture.
Some people should definitely not reproduce.