A six-year-old girl was found dead in east Charlotte. Susan Robinson, 61, was arrested Saturday and faces charges including intentional child abuse resulting in serious injury. Tonya McKnight, 51, Robinson's co-accused, was arrested Monday on the same charges.
Court documents, reported by QC News, state that the victim lived on Gwynne Hill Road in an unkempt home with no central heating, rat and cockroach infestations, and contamination from human and animal feces. Robinson, the court-appointed guardian, appeared in court Monday as prosecutors described the abuse the child suffered for about a year and a half before her death.
Robinson is prohibited from contacting the other children in the household or any minors. Her next court appearance is January 9. The condition of the other four children found in the home has not been disclosed. WCNC Charlotte reported that neighbors were shocked by the police presence.
"She was a beautiful, smart baby. My baby was very lovable," said the child's biological mother, Ikea McKnight, WCNC Charlotte reports. Tonya McKnight, Robinson's sister, and Tery'n McKnight, who is hospitalized after a vehicle collision, are also allegedly connected to the case and may face arrest once Tery'n recovers.
An affidavit states that Robinson and Tonya McKnight exchanged messages about cleaning the house after the child’s death. Investigators also recovered photos from Robinson's phone, reportedly showing the child bound with duct tape. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the CMPD at (704) 432-8477, according to WSOCTV.
