Parents arrested for letting their son, 7, walk home ‘unattended’ before his tragic death as devastated mom speaks out
A MOM and dad have been arrested after their 7-year-son was fatally struck by an SUV while walking home "unattended" from a store.
They were charged with involuntary manslaughter after leaving little Legend Jenkins unsupervised, said cops.
Gastonia Police said that a Jeep Cherokee driven by a 76-year-old woman hit Legend at about 6 pm last Tuesday.
The second-grader had been crossing a road while walking with his brother, 10, in Gastonia, North Carolina.
A passing driver said she has been haunted by his death after she stopped to help the seriously injured boy.
Summer Williams said she held him in her arms until the ambulance arrived, reported the .
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But he died four hours later that night in hospital.
His mother, Jessica Jenkins, told that "sweet" Legend was a "mama's boy" who enjoyed sports.
The mom said it was the first time she had let her children cross that street alone, "and someone killed him."
She accused the SUV driver of "taking somebody's baby - she doesn't need to be out here driving."
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Legend's dad, Sameule Jenkins said he was in "shock."
The distraught man said his boy had enjoyed playing "everything ― soccer, football, basketball, he just never got a chance to flourish."
He added, "My son didn't deserve this. I wish I was there to protect him."
The Gastonia Police Department said last Thursday that cops have filed criminal charges against them both.
"Both parents have been charged with felony involuntary manslaughter, felony child neglect, and misdemeanor child neglect," it added.
The police said that last Tuesday, "at approximately 5:55 p.m., officers responded to a reported traffic collision in the 1000 block of West Hudson Boulevard.
"Upon arrival, police found that a 7-year-old juvenile male had been struck by a Jeep Cherokee being driven by a 76-year female driver.
"The preliminary investigation revealed that the child was attempting to cross the street outside of a crosswalk with another juvenile male, aged 10, when he entered the roadway and was hit."
UNSUPERVISED
Legend was initially taken to CaroMont Regional Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.
But he was later transferred to Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte.
The police said, "Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead near 10 pm."
In regards to the double arrest, it added, "While the Gastonia Police Department offers its deepest sympathies to the family for the heartbreaking loss of their child, the investigation revealed that the children involved were unsupervised at the time the boy stepped into traffic.
"In such cases, adults must be held accountable for their responsibilities to ensure a safe environment for their children."
SUV DRIVER
Witness to the collision, Summer Williams said she had seen Legend dash out on to the road, as his older brother desperately tried to hold him back.
She added, "Even at night, I still see his (Legend's) face."
Cops confirmed that the SUV driver has not been arrested.
The statement said, "At this time, there is no evidence of speeding or wrongdoing on the part of the driver, therefore no charges have been filed.
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"The driver continues to be cooperative and the incident remains under active investigation by the Gastonia Police Department's Traffic Division.
"Anyone who witnessed the crash or may have relevant information is urged to contact Corporal Carpenter with the Gastonia Police Department at 704-866-6702."