Cumberland County couple charged in toddler's death

FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- Detectives with the Fayetteville Police Department's Homicide Unit arrested Jeanie Kassandra Ditty late Thursday on the charges of first-degree murder and negligent child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury in reference to the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Macey Ditty.

Jeanie Ditty, 23, was processed at the Cumberland County Detention Center where she remains without bond.

Detectives are still seeking the public's assistance with finding Zachary Earl Keefer, 32.

Police said Keefer was Jeanie Ditty's boyfriend when the crime occurred. Keefer is not Macey's father.

Police responded to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center on Dec. 2, 2015, in reference to an unresponsive child. Medical staff told police 2-year-old Macey Ditty had bruises all over her body and had suffered life-threatening child abuse.

Macey Ditty was taken to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, where doctors determined the toddler's injuries had been inflicted within 24 hours of her arriving at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.

Macey Ditty died on Dec. 4, 2015, as a result of her injuries.

On Wednesday, the N.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled Macey Ditty's death a homicide. Thursday, detectives charged Jeanie Ditty and Keefer with the crime.

Jeanie Ditty and Keefer are both charged with first-degree murder and negligent child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury.

Anyone with information concerning the whereabouts of Keefer, or this incident, is asked to contact Detective D. Johnson at (910) 224-3257. Information also can be submitted by calling Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477) or by visiting http://www.fay-nccrimestoppers.org/send_a_tip.aspx and completing the anonymous online tip sheet or by text-a-tip on your mobile device by sending a message to 274637 (in the text box type "4Tip" followed by your message).