CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Authorities have filed criminal charges against a mother accused of driving around barricades during a hurricane, resulting in the drowning death of her 1-year-old son.
Union County Sheriff’s detectives say that Dazia Ideah Lee, 20, of Charlotte, drove around highway barricades and kept going east until her vehicle encountered rushing water flowing across the road during Hurricane Florence.
Her car left the roadway and came to a rest among a group of trees where she managed to free herself and her 1-year-old son Kaiden Lee-Welch. However, she lost her grip on Kaiden in the rushing water.
“The tragic death of this child and the circumstances surrounding this case are heartbreaking. We continue to pray for all those suffering as a result of this child’s death," Sheriff Eddie Cathey stated. "However, after a very thorough investigation and taking all facts into consideration and applying the law, we feel that these charges are appropriate.”
Lee faces a charge of involuntary manslaughter and a misdemeanor charge of driving on a closed/unopened highway in connection with the death of her son.
She is due in court on November 20, 2018.
