Charlotte, North Carolina, February 5, 2026
In a tragic case from Charlotte, North Carolina, three women have been charged with first-degree murder following the death of 6-year-old Dominique Moody. The victim suffered severe abuse, including torture and starvation, allegedly at the hands of her grandmother and two relatives. The recent warrants represent a significant escalation from previous felony child abuse charges. Authorities detailed horrific living conditions faced by the child, leading to further investigations and legal actions.
Charlotte, North Carolina – Three women have been charged with first-degree murder in the tragic death of a 6-year-old girl in east Charlotte. Warrants for murder were issued on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, against Susan Robinson, Tonya McKnight, and Tery’n McKnight in Mecklenburg County Court. All three individuals are expected to appear in court on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 10 a.m.. The victim, identified as Dominique Moody, died on December 16, 2025, from what an affidavit described as torture and starvation.
Investigation and Initial Charges
Authorities responded to a call regarding an unresponsive child at a residence on Gwynne Hill Road on December 16, 2025, at approximately 7:40 a.m.. Dominique Moody was transported to Novant-Mint Hill, where she was pronounced dead at 9:29 a.m.. The three suspects, who all resided at the same address, had previously been indicted on felony child abuse charges related to the girl’s death. Prosecutors indicated they were considering upgrading charges to murder, pending lab results and further evidence, in December 2025. The recent issuance of murder warrants signifies a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings.
Horrific Conditions and Allegations of Abuse
Court documents, including a police affidavit, have detailed the horrific conditions and severe abuse Dominique Moody allegedly endured for approximately 1.5 years leading up to her death. The residence on Gwynne Hill Road was described as “extremely unkempt, with a strong odor of feces and urine,” cluttered, and infested with rats. Investigators noted a “mixture of animal and human feces throughout” the home and several structural issues, including holes in the floor and ceiling. The house lacked central heating, with only a kitchen oven and space heaters providing warmth during cold overnight temperatures.
Upon discovery, Dominique’s body, hair, and nails were dirty. She weighed only 27 pounds and exhibited numerous injuries across her body, including open wounds and scarring in various stages of healing. Specific injuries noted in the affidavit include a healed ligature mark around her right ankle, linear healed scars on her right arm, and healed circular scars on her right foot and outer right leg. An open circular wound on her outer left ankle appeared to be a burn.
The most significant injuries documented were “defects to her genitalia and buttocks”. An autopsy revealed these defects were caused by “prolonged sitting in urine/feces-soiled items, such as a diaper, for extensive periods of time”. She also had an older, healed fracture to her right pinky toe and posterior lower rib fractures on both sides, in various stages of healing.
Confinement and Torture
Interviews with other juvenile occupants of the residence provided further insight into the alleged abuse. These children described Dominique being “forced to live in a small enclosure inside the residence by Tonya McKnight, often being bound with black tape, and being struck with a white belt”. They also stated that when Dominique was found not breathing, she was placed in front of the kitchen stove “to warm her up and bring her back to life”. The dog crate used for confinement was reportedly destroyed with a hammer and discarded after Dominique’s death.
Evidence from Susan Robinson’s cellphone, obtained during a search, included communications with Tonya McKnight and a picture from November 28, 2025, depicting “the victim, duct taped with black duct tape, her hands and feet swollen, lying on the carpeted area of the living room”. Robinson reportedly told police that Tonya McKnight duct-taped Dominique as punishment for various reasons, including stealing food, and that Dominique was “forced to watch them eat” and “does not feed her every day” despite ample food in the house. Robinson also stated that Dominique was “forced to sit in her soiled, urine and feces-filled diaper for days and days,” leading to the severe rash.
This pattern of abuse and neglect reportedly spanned approximately 1.5 years. After Dominique broke the dog crate, she was allegedly forced to sleep on the “feces-filled bathroom floor”.
Relationships of the Accused
Tonya McKnight was identified as Dominique Moody’s grandmother and legal guardian. Tery’n McKnight is Tonya’s daughter and the victim’s aunt, while Susan Robinson is Tonya’s sister. All three women were living together at the Gwynne Hill Road address. Robinson stated that she and Tery’n McKnight were frequently left alone with the children and were responsible for their care multiple times a month.
Legal Proceedings
The charges have now been upgraded from felony child abuse to first-degree murder, reflecting the severity of the allegations. Susan Robinson and Tery’n McKnight were previously held without bond, while Tonya McKnight was held on a $2 million bond. The case will continue to be processed through the Mecklenburg County Superior Court.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the names of the women charged with murder?
The women charged with murder are Susan Robinson, Tonya McKnight, and Tery’n McKnight.
When were the murder warrants issued?
Murder warrants were issued on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
What is the name of the 6-year-old victim?
The 6-year-old victim is identified as Dominique Moody.
What were the conditions in the residence where the child lived?
The residence was described as “extremely unkempt, with a strong odor of feces and urine,” cluttered, infested with rats, and contaminated with animal and human feces. There was no central heating.
What were some of the injuries Dominique Moody sustained?
Dominique Moody sustained open wounds, scarring, a healed ligature mark, linear healed scars, circular healed scars, a possible burn, defects to her genitalia and buttocks from prolonged sitting in soiled items, a healed fracture to her right pinky toe, and posterior lower rib fractures.
What was Dominique Moody’s weight at the time of her death?
Dominique Moody weighed only 27 pounds at the time of her death.
What was the relationship between the accused and the victim?
Tonya McKnight was Dominique Moody’s grandmother and legal guardian. Tery’n McKnight is Tonya’s daughter (victim’s aunt), and Susan Robinson is Tonya’s sister (victim’s great-aunt).
Key Details of the Charlotte Murder Case
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Location of Incident | East Charlotte, North Carolina | State-level |
| Victim’s Name | Dominique Moody | State-level |
| Victim’s Age | 6 years old | State-level |
| Accused Individuals | Susan Robinson, Tonya McKnight, Tery’n McKnight | State-level |
| Charges | First-degree murder (upgraded from felony child abuse) | State-level |
| Date of Murder Warrants | Wednesday, February 4, 2026 | State-level |
| Expected Court Appearance | Thursday, February 5, 2026, 10 a.m. | State-level |
| Alleged Cause of Death | Torture and starvation | State-level |
| Alleged Abuse Duration | Approximately 1.5 years | State-level |
| Key Allegations | Forced confinement (dog crate, bathroom floor), binding with duct tape, beatings, malnutrition, exposure to feces/urine, rat infestation, lack of proper heating | State-level |
| Victim’s Weight at Death | 27 pounds | State-level |
| Relationships of Accused | Tonya McKnight (grandmother/legal guardian), Tery’n McKnight (aunt), Susan Robinson (great-aunt) | State-level |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
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