Sentenced: Parents Left 7MO Son In The Care Of Known Blood Member, Garrett Fredrick

[Sugar Cookie]

The parents of a 7-month-old killed last month in Kings Mountain are facing child abuse charges.

Brittany Bell, 27, and James Locust, 25, were arrested Friday, according to our partners at the Shelby Star.

Police said the couple left their child, Damien Bell, at home while they went to dinner.

The mother said when she got home, Damien was unconscious, and when she called police, she said babysitter Garrett Fredrick took off.

Doctors restored the child’s pulse and breathing while he was at the hospital in Kings Mountain and later found trauma-related injuries to the baby, the Star reported.

Doctors determined that even if Damien survived, he would likely be brain dead.

After a 24-hour manhunt, deputies arrested and charged Fredrick with murder.

The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office said Fredrick killed the 7-month-old boy he was babysitting, and is facing first-degree murder charges

Fredrick was left to care for the baby while his mother and her boyfriend went out to dinner Sunday night. When they returned, he told them a dog had bitten the child and shaken him, but he did not call for help.

When the couple called 911, Fredrick - who had outstanding burglary warrants for his arrest - took off.

Investigators said Fredrick is a known Bloods gang member.

https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/c...-charged-with-murdering-7-month-old/754981495

 

[Sugar Cookie]

Parents

 

[Keepalowprofile]

He sounds like such a nice boy.

I wonder what happened.

 

[Nell]

He had burglary warrants. He was a gang member. So not a great dude. But unless I’m missing something I don’t see how the parents should be charged for hiring a shit babysitter who killed their kid.

 

[Satanica]

There must be some evidence that they knew him and his gang affiliation or that they just picked some random dude of whom they had no knowledge. I guess it will come out as the case moves forward. Fredrick isn't saying anything so far.

 

[lithiumgirl]

But unless I’m missing something I don’t see how the parents should be charged for hiring a shit babysitter who killed their kid.

There are people I'd leave my kids with and people I wouldn't ... I guess the problem is that they didn't know the difference.

 

[Prettypink513]

He had burglary warrants. He was a gang member. So not a great dude. But unless I’m missing something I don’t see how the parents should be charged for hiring a shit babysitter who killed their kid.

My nephew is a known blood, but he wouldn't hurt a child. If anything, I get on him for being too lenient with the kids. So I definitely see your point here

 

[Prettypink513]

He was such a cute little guy that picture looks like he's thinking "Hello, ladies" lol

 

[Granmaw]

How far down the "potential babysitter list" did they go? Surely this cretin wasn't at the top? I wouldn't let that thing watch a plant, let alone an innocent helpless baby.

 

[Sugar Cookie]

A Kings Mountain woman pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge related to her baby’s death.

Brittany Bell will serve a year on probation for a count of contributing to the neglect or abuse of a juvenile. It was nine months ago when she left her seven-month-old son with Garrett Fredrick.

Bell is trying to move forward with her life. She is currently working with DSS to get back her two other children that have been staying with other family members

Bell and her then live-in boyfriend, James Locust, left the baby in Fredrick’s care on May 20, 2018, while they went to dinner. When they returned, they found the baby in distress.

″(Fredrick) told them he felt the dog did something to him,” said Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Lari.

While the couple called 911, Fredrick, who had outstanding warrants, fled, according to investigators.

When first responders arrived, the infant was unresponsive. He was taken to the hospital in Kings Mountain then flown to Charlotte. He succumbed to his injuries two days later.

Mother of dead infant receives probation

A Kings Mountain woman pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge related to her baby's death. Brittany Bell will serve a year on probation for a count of contributing to the neglect or abuse of a juve…

www.shelbystar.com

Nine months after his baby boy was killed, a local man is trying to get his life back together.

James Locust stood beside his attorney in court and accepted a plea offer.

Locust agreed to the misdemeanor charge and received a suspended sentence with a year of probation.

North Carolina father gets probation related to child's death

Shelby — Nine months after his baby boy was killed, a local man is trying to get his life back together. James Locust stood beside his attorney in court Tuesday and accepted a plea offer. Locust …

www.fayobserver.com

The state extended a plea offer to Fredrick. If he agrees to plead guilty to second-degree murder, he would serve 14½ to 18½ years in prison. He rejected that offer Wednesday by pleading not guilty, but attorneys said they will continue to try to reach a resolution.

Lari stressed in court that Fredrick will not be given the option to plead to involuntary manslaughter.

Mother of dead infant receives probation

A Kings Mountain woman pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge related to her baby's death. Brittany Bell will serve a year on probation for a count of contributing to the neglect or abuse of a juve…

www.shelbystar.com

update

GARRETT C FREDRICK

​

Total Incarceration Term:​

13 YEARS 5 MONTHS​

Primary Crime:​

MURDER SECOND DEGREE (PRINCIPAL)​

​

Projected Release Date:​

09/15/2028​

Minimum Term:​

10 YEARS 4 MONTHS​

Maximum Term:​

13 YEARS 5 MONTHS​

 

[Sugar Cookie]

Damien Shane Bell

 

[Sugar Cookie]

I hate the parents just as much as I hate the killer.

Damien looked like such a cuddly little love muffin.