4 children found dead in trunk of car; NC father tells 911 he killed them, deputies say

JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- Tuesday, 38-year-old Wellington Dickens III walked into a Johnston County courtroom for his first court appearance after four children were found dead.

The investigation started Monday night after Johnston County 911 got a call from Dickens III, who allegedly told them he had killed four of his children.

Johnston County Sheriff's Office sent deputies to the address on Springtooth Drive to investigate. After arriving on the scene, Dickens allegedly told deputies his 3-year-old son was alive inside the house and his other children were dead inside the trunk of a car.

Further investigation led to the discovery of multiple bodies inside the trunk of the car that was in the garage. Deputies determined the remains had been there for a long period of time. According to court documents, the crime happened in May.

The Honorable Jason Coats presided over the brief hearing in which Dickens learned how much trouble he could be in if a jury convicted him of murder.

During the first appearance, Dickens only spoke aloud to confirm his United States citizenship and residency and to request the public defender's office to represent him.

"You have been charged with first-degree murder," Judge Coats said, "Which is a class A felony that carries a maximum sentence of life without parole or the death penalty."

JCSO investigators believe Dickens killed three of his biological children and his stepchild. They have been identified as:

• Leah Dickens, 6

• Zoe Dickens, 9

• Wellington Dickens, 10

• Sean Brasfield, 18 (Stepchild)

Given the severity of the charges, Judge Coats agreed with the district attorney's office that Dickens be held without bond.

Stay on top of breaking news stories with the ABC11 News App