Three women in North Carolina—Susan Robinson (61), Tonya McKnight (51), and Tery’n McKnight (22)—face first-degree murder charges in the December 16, 2025, death of 6-year-old Dominique Moody in Charlotte.
Case Background
Dominique was found unresponsive at a Gwynne Hill Road home, weighing just 27 pounds with severe injuries including open wounds, scars, burns, rib fractures, and extreme diaper rash from prolonged neglect. Police affidavits detail over 1.5 years of abuse: starvation as punishment, duct-taping, plastic wrapping (captured in photos), confinement in a dog crate or feces-filled bathroom floor, and forcing her to watch others eat despite ample food.
Living Conditions
The residence was infested with rats and cockroaches that bit the children, lacked central heat (using ovens and risky space heaters during 20°F nights), and contained human/animal feces everywhere. Four other young children (ages 1-5) lived there; their current status remains undisclosed publicly.
Arrests and Charges
Initially arrested in late December 2025 on felony child abuse inflicting serious injury plus misdemeanor counts, they were indicted for murder around February 4, 2026. Tonya McKnight had custody since September 2021; Robinson is the aunt. Post-death texts between Robinson and Tonya acknowledged trouble and a need to clean.
Court Status
On February 5, 2026, Judge Cecilia Oseguera denied bond for all three, who remain in Mecklenburg County Jail. Earlier bonds included $2 million for Tonya; next hearings were set for March but updated with murder charges.
