GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — A man and woman were charged nearly a year after the death of their infant in Gaston County, police said.
In March 2021, officers responded to Acme Road near Belmont, where they found an unresponsive baby boy. Officials confirmed 2-month-old Rocky Beatty Jr. died.
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On Wednesday, after months of investigating, police charged the infant’s parents, Rocky Clay Beatty Sr., 36, and Brittany Kristen Canipe, 32, with second-degree homicide.
According to the death certificate, the baby died from the effects of dehydration and malnutrition. Police said they had to wait for results of a full autopsy before they could charge his parents.
“It made me sick to my stomach,” neighbor Rebecca Ware said. “It’s sad. He never had a chance.”
Detectives said they had their suspensions the day medics visited the home near Belmont and called police.
“We knew immediately based on what we saw at the scene and what the child looked like that there was more to the story,” said Capt. Billy Downey.
Investigators revisited the case twice a week, every week. Some of the investigative meetings became mental health sessions for detectives.
“We are parents, as we took it seriously, as well as personally,” Sgt. Reggie Bloom said.
“This is one of those cases that we kept going back to,” Downey said.
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The parents are being held at the Gaston County Jail, and had their first court appearance Wednesday afternoon, where a bond was set at $1 million for each of them. They are due back in court March 1.
Reporter Ken Lemon was there and saw Canipe’s sister cry in court for the sister she said she will support regardless of the charges and the sweet nephew she can’t hold again.
Channel 9 learned the parents had seven other children and social services workers were involved.
No other details have been released at this point.
Gaston County police are asking anyone with information on this case to contact Detective T. D. Pilkington at 704-866-3320 or Crimestoppers at 704-861-8000.
Return to this story for updates.
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