JACKSONVILLE, NC (WBTW) – The live-in boyfriend of Mariah Woods’ mother is charged with murder in the 3-year-old’s death, according to North Carolina officials.
The Onslow County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday that Adolphus Earl Kimrey II, 32, of Jacksonville, is charged with murdering the 3-year-old little girl who was first reported missing in late November.
The family of the North Carolina toddler told deputies on the morning of Nov. 27 that Mariah Woods was missing and no one had seen her since they put her to bed the previous night.
The toddler’s mother, Kristy Woods, told deputies that she put Mariah and the girl’s two brothers to bed the evening of Nov. 26 and everything was fine. The following morning when the mother awoke, Mariah was missing, she told officials.
Kimrey, who’s now being charged with taking the life of the innocent girl, told deputies that Mariah got out of bed after her mother put her to sleep and he told Mariah to go back to bed. The sheriff’s office says Kimrey then claimed he left the Jacksonville home for a short period and left the door unlocked.
Once the report was received by the sheriff’s office at approximately 6:30 a.m. Nov. 27 that Mariah was missing, an intensive search was initiated. The search included numerous local, state and federal agencies. Members of the military and hundreds of volunteers from the community searched miles of land surrounding Mariah’s home as well as other wooded areas and farm land to try to find the toddler.
The Onslow County Sheriff’s Office has collected over 250 items of physical evidence during this investigation, officials report. Many of the items have been submitted for additional forensic examination to the FBI Forensics Lab in Quantico, Virginia.
Leads developed during the investigation of Mariah’s disappearance led detectives to the Holly Shelter Creek Bridge in Pender County, where a dive team recovered Mariah’s body on Dec. 2.
Kimrey was arrested the day Mariah’s body was found. He was charged with obstruction of justice, conceal an unattended death, possession of stolen goods, second degree burglary and larceny after breaking and entering. Kimrey has remained in police custody since that time when bond was set at $1,010,000.
The sheriff’s office says additional charges have been pending the completion of the autopsy and other forensic lab analysis.
Mariah’s autopsy was conducted on Dec. 4 by East Carolina University in Greenville and a preliminary cause of death was provided; however, additional chemical and toxicology testing was required. The medical examiner received the results of those tests on Monday and investigators and the District Attorney’s Office were briefed on the test results Tuesday, the sheriff’s office reports.
Mariah’s cause of death was determined to be chloroform toxicity.
On Wednesday, charges of first degree murder and felony child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury or death were filed against Kimrey. The accused child-killer was placed under a no bond hold and is awaiting his first court appearance on the new charges.
Kimrey’s first appearance is set for Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Onslow County District Court.
Sheriff’s office officials say Mariah’s mother, Kristy Woods, has been “cooperative with the investigation and continues to cooperate with the detectives as the investigation continues.”
Officials go on to say the additional charges for Kimrey do not mean the investigation is concluded but will continue until all leads and information is thoroughly evaluated.
“The death of a child is always a sobering reminder of how fragile life is,” says Onslow County Sheriff Hans Miller. “When the community is so deeply affected by such a horrific crime it is sometimes difficult to not allow our emotions to influence the decisions that we make. However, the best way to honor Mariah is to ensure a fair and thorough investigation, which will lead to a successful prosecution. We must remember that through these moments, together, as a community we can ensure that justice will be delivered for Mariah. We sincerely thank the community for their patience and support through this entire investigation.”
Anyone with information about this incident may contact Onslow County Sheriff’s Office at 910-455-3113, Detective Lieutenant Linwood Foy at linwood_foy@onslowcountync.gov, or Crime Stoppers at 910-938-3273. Please refer to case 2017-021447when calling.
Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to $2,500 for information that is deemed of value or assistance to law enforcement. Information can also be anonymously texted via Text-A-Tip by typing TIP4CSJAX and your message to 274637 (CRIMES). Callers to Crime Stoppers may remain anonymous and never have to reveal their identity.
