Mother charged with stepfather in death of 4-year-old boy

GASTONIA, N.C. — A High Shoals man has been charged in the death of his 4-year-old stepson.

Thomas Cheeks, 28, was charged Monday with first-degree murder in the death of Malachi Golden.

Golden was found dead in a home in May while in Cheeks' care.

The boy's mother, 24-year-old Tiffany Cheeks, was charged with one count of felony accessory after the fact to first-degree murder by fabricating information pertaining to her son's death.

She was also charged with one count of felony child abuse/neglect resulting in serious bodily injury by not providing adequate care, medical treatment, and nutrition, resulting in serious bodily injury, malnutrition, dehydration and other medical complications.

She is in jail under a $1 million bond.

Investigators say they've spent months conducting interviews and looking over toxicology reports and medical records. Authorities have not said how he died.

Channel 9's partners at the Gaston Gazette reported that Malachi's mother found him unresponsive when she returned from work. Investigators say the boy suffered from medical conditions that authorities initially believed may have led to his death.

The investigation continues.

Thomas  Cheeks is being held in Gaston County jail. It isn't clear if he has an attorney.

He'll make his first court appearance Tuesday.

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