Rock Hill mother, boyfriend charged in death of 4-year-old who tested positive for cocaine at birth

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - A 4-year-old child was found dead in Rock Hill late Tuesday morning, prompting a death investigation and leading to the arrest of the child’s mother and her boyfriend.

Police say they were called out to a home on Gentle Breeze Lane around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday and found the 4-year-old dead. The child’s mother, 23-year-old Jackleen Elizabeth Mullen, and Mullen’s boyfriend, 26-year-old Audrevious Jarrell Williams, were both charged with homicide by child abuse or neglect.

A judge denied bond for Mullen and also told her she can’t have any contact or communication with her two other children while the case is pending.

Officials say Mullen lied to police and said her child was with family in N.C., leading police to call the family who denied having the child. The child, who had special needs, was reportedly found stuffed in a dresser. A police officer says there was no remorse from Mullen when they told her about her child’s death.

WBTV has confirmed Mullen was previously charged in 2016, when the 4-year-old was born, after the infant tested positive for cocaine and benzodiazepines.

Rock Hill Police said at the time that York County DSS informed them the baby was born premature and tested positive for the drug. The baby was born at 26 weeks gestation.

Mullen and Williams have bond hearings at 2 p.m. Wednesday on the recent charges.

Further details surrounding the child’s death were not provided.