Boy died after 12-hour isolation in ‘elevated temperatures,’ NC cops say. Dad charged

A lengthy investigation into the heat-related death of a 2-year-old boy has resulted in felony charges for his father, according to police in North Carolina.

Aaron Lynwood Carter, 27, was arrested Jan. 7 and charged with felony involuntary manslaughter and felony child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury, the Moore County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

His son, River Carter, was 2 years old when he died Dec. 2, 2023, at a home in the West End community, the sheriff’s office said. West End is about a 70-mile drive southwest from Raleigh.

“Investigators determined that River had been isolated in a room for more than twelve hours and had been exposed to elevated temperatures from a space heater prior to his death being reported,” the sheriff’s office said.

A medical examiner’s findings led to charges against the boy’s father, officials said.

Details of the findings were not released and investigators have not provided a cause of death.

Bond was set at $500,000 for Carter and a first court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 9, officials said.

An obituary for River Lynwood Carter reports he was born July 16, 2021, in Lumberton, and had a sister.

“River loved anything outside and active, animals, trucks, cars, his family, music and dancing,” the obituary says. “He had so much character for a 2-year-old. Truly the most genuine and kind soul.”

This story was originally published January 8, 2025 at 7:46 AM with the headline "Boy died after 12-hour isolation in ‘elevated temperatures,’ NC cops say. Dad charged."