Charlotte, N.C. – The family of six-year-old Dominique Moody, who died in December 2025 after suffering prolonged abuse, is demanding accountability from Mecklenburg County and North Carolina state agencies. Joined by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, the family held a press conference Monday outlining the horrific details of Dominique’s final months and alleging systemic failures that allowed the abuse to continue.
The case has sparked outrage and renewed scrutiny of child welfare systems. Dominique Moody weighed just 27 pounds at the time of her death and her body was covered in scars, according to J. Vernon Peterson, a mortician and relative of the family. The family and their legal team contend that numerous red flags were missed by authorities, potentially preventing Dominique’s death. The focus now is on understanding why existing safeguards failed to protect a vulnerable child.
Details of the Abuse
The details presented Monday were deeply disturbing. Peterson described Dominique’s body as bearing signs of extensive and prolonged abuse, including rodent and roach bites, bruises from head to toe, and broken fingernails. He stated, “There was not a part of her body that was not scarred,” and emphasized that she was severely emaciated due to a lack of food. He believes the broken fingernails were evidence of a desperate struggle for survival, suggesting she “fought to get out of that cage.”
Dominique was found unresponsive at her guardian’s home on December 16, 2025. Three women have been charged with first-degree murder in connection with her death, according to reports. Police had visited the home at least five times between 2022 and Dominique’s death, including responding to a reported assault, the Charlotte Observer reported. The Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services also received reports of potential abuse or neglect at the residence, but investigations were closed due to insufficient evidence, according to the Charlotte Observer.
Calls for Systemic Change
Attorney Ben Crump, who has represented families in high-profile civil rights cases, including those of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, is leading the legal effort to hold the responsible parties accountable. Crump questioned why warning signs, such as the child’s sister missing over 20 days of school, were not adequately investigated. “They miss these red flags, these flashing lights,” Crump told reporters, emphasizing the need for a thorough examination of the systemic failures that contributed to Dominique’s death.
Ikea McKnight, Dominique’s biological mother who did not have custody of her daughter at the time of her death, expressed her grief and outrage. “I just want to say my baby didn’t deserve what she went through,” McKnight said. The family is seeking answers about how the abuse was allowed to continue unchecked and what steps can be taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The abuse, according to findings and reports, was not limited to the time immediately preceding Dominique’s death. Both a medical examiner’s report and the family’s own investigation indicated the abuse had been ongoing.
A YouTube video shows Ben Crump joining the family to demand accountability.
An Instagram post details the case and the charges filed.
What’s Next
Attorneys are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Dominique Moody’s death and exploring potential legal action. No litigation has been filed at this time, but Crump and his team are committed to uncovering the full extent of the failures that allowed the abuse to occur. The investigation will focus on the actions and inactions of Mecklenburg County and North Carolina state agencies, as well as the individuals directly responsible for Dominique’s suffering. The family hopes that their pursuit of justice will lead to meaningful changes in the child welfare system and prevent future tragedies.
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