ZEBULON, N.C. — A father in North Carolina has been charged with murdering four of his children after allegedly confessing to the act during a 911 call. Wellington Delano Dickens III, 38, informed dispatchers that the bodies were hidden in the trunk of a car located at his home, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.
According to court documents, Dickens has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder. Authorities stated he admitted to causing the deaths of his children over several months, with indications that the chilling acts may have started as early as May and continued through September.
Deputies from the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office arrived at Dickens’ residence shortly after 10 p.m. on October 27 and found him alongside his surviving 3-year-old son, who was unharmed. Upon searching the garage, officers discovered what appeared to be human remains within the trunk of a vehicle.
During the 911 call, Dickens allegedly claimed responsibility for his children’s deaths, stating that the situation had escalated due to “over-disciplining.” Sheriff Steve Bizzell expressed disbelief at the tragedy, noting there is “no rationale” that could justify such actions.
Initial investigations revealed that Dickens’ wife, Stephanie, had died in April 2024, shortly after a miscarriage, leaving him as the sole caregiver of the children. Sheriff Bizzell confirmed that authorities are still trying to understand the motive behind the crimes, emphasizing the profound impact on the community and law enforcement involved in the case.
Neighbors described the Dickens family as reclusive, sharing that the children were mostly homeschooled and rarely seen outside their home. Deputies had previously visited the residence after the mother’s death, which was ruled as a natural cause.
In a shocking development, court documents indicated that Dickens also confessed to burying a fifth child in the woods behind the house. Investigators have not found the remains of this infant, and it is reported that family members had not seen the child since shortly after Dickens moved to the area.
The state medical examiner’s office is conducting further examinations on the remains of the four children, but details about the circumstances of their deaths remain under wraps. Officials have stated that searches for the fifth child will resume when weather conditions permit.
“This case has affected every deputy, every investigator, and every first responder who went to that house,” Sheriff Bizzell noted. “It’s something you don’t ever forget.” The local community is left grappling with the horrifying details surrounding the family tragedy.