Three women—Susan Robinson (61), Tonya McKnight (51, Dominique’s legal guardian), and Tery’n McKnight (22, Tonya’s daughter)—face first-degree murder and child abuse charges in Charlotte, North Carolina, after 6-year-old Dominique Moody’s death on December 16, 2025.
Incident Overview
Police responded to a 911 call at 7608 Gwynne Hill Road around 7:40 a.m., finding Dominique unresponsive; she died at a hospital weighing 27 pounds with ligature scars, broken bones, burns, open wounds, dirty conditions, and sores from soiled diapers.
Home Conditions
The residence was described as extremely unkempt with feces/urine odors, rats, no central heating during sub-zero nights, and four other children present who said Dominique was confined in a dog crate.
Evidence and History
Affidavits cite November 2025 texts between Robinson and Tonya showing Dominique duct-taped and starved despite available food; police visited nearly 50 times prior, with five social worker abuse reports.
Arrests and Court
Arrested late December 2025 initially for child abuse (serious injury and misdemeanors), murder charges added February 4, 2026; Judge Cecilia Oseguera denied bond February 5 for all three.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or visit www.childhelp.org for confidential 24/7 support.
