A father in North Carolina has been arrested and charged with the horrific murders of four children, with authorities alleging he concealed their decomposing bodies in the boot of his car while simultaneously entertaining dates from the Grindr app at his family home.
Shocking Details Emerge in Tragic Case
Wellington Delano Dickens III, aged 38, was taken into custody on October 28 and now faces four counts of first-degree murder. According to police reports, Dickens called 911 to report the deaths of his children, claiming he had not tortured them but had instead "over-punished" them during disciplinary actions.
Search warrants released on January 14 reveal disturbing details, including allegations that Dickens purchased body bags from Amazon to store the remains of his deceased children before placing them in his vehicle. The car was reportedly inoperable, leading Dickens to rely on food delivery services during this period.
Dating App Activity Amidst Tragedy
Perhaps most chillingly, investigators allege that Dickens continued to use the Grindr dating app after the children's deaths, inviting people he met through the platform to his home while the bodies remained concealed nearby. Police documents indicate that while one of Dickens' phones did not have the Grindr app installed, messages between him and individuals from the dating service were discovered.
Authorities believe Dickens met several people from Grindr at his residence following the children's deaths, creating a macabre juxtaposition of social activity and concealed tragedy.
Victims and Alleged Circumstances
The search warrants provide heartbreaking details about each child's alleged fate:
- A one-month-old baby boy who Dickens claimed died from illness, with the father allegedly burying him somewhere on the property (though police have not located the body)
- A five-year-old girl who reportedly died two months before the 911 call after Dickens "disciplined" her
- Her nine-year-old sister, who Dickens allegedly taped over the mouth for complaining about her sister's death and who died when he checked on her later
- A 10-year-old boy and 18-year-old stepson who supposedly died from what Dickens believed was malnutrition
It remains unclear whether any of the children had been reported missing prior to the investigation.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
During a search of the property, police discovered an unharmed three-year-old child who was removed to safety. The investigation has revealed that Dickens' wife, Stephanie Jones, previously died following a miscarriage, according to reports from ABC11.
On December 18, state prosecutors announced they would seek the death penalty if Dickens is found guilty of the murders. The case has shocked the local community, with neighbour Josalyn Tabron expressing disbelief at the situation, noting that while law enforcement had been frequently visiting the property, full details of what occurred remained unclear to residents.
The Johnston County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate this deeply disturbing case, which combines elements of domestic tragedy with allegations of extraordinary deception and concealment.
