Attorneys Investigate Death of Six-Year-Old in East Charlotte

High-profile lawyers, including Ben Crump, look into how officials failed to intervene despite reports of abuse.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

High-profile attorneys, including Ben Crump, are investigating the death of six-year-old Dominique Moody, who weighed only 27 pounds when she died in December 2025. Moody was kept in a dog crate and had scars covering her body, and police had visited the home at least five times from 2022 to her death. The county's Department of Social Services also received reports of abuse but closed investigations, citing insufficient evidence. Crump and other lawyers are now asking how the authorities missed the 'red flags' and 'flashing lights' that should have prompted intervention to save the young girl's life.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about the failure of authorities to protect vulnerable children, even when there are clear signs of abuse and neglect. It raises questions about the effectiveness of the child welfare system and the need for reforms to ensure that no child falls through the cracks.

The details

Three women have been charged with first-degree murder in Dominique Moody's death. The young girl's mother, Ikea McKnight, did not have custody of her when she died. Attorneys Ben Crump, Liza Park, and Chance Lynch are now investigating the case, looking into how officials failed to intervene despite multiple reports of abuse and neglect in the home.

  • Dominique Moody died in December 2025.
  • Police visited the home at least five times from 2022 to Moody's death.
  • The county's Department of Social Services received reports of abuse but closed investigations, citing insufficient evidence.

The players

Ben Crump

A high-profile attorney who has represented the families of George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, Breonna Taylor, and others.

Ikea McKnight

The biological mother of Dominique Moody, who did not have custody of her daughter when she died.

Liza Park

An attorney working with Ben Crump on the investigation into Dominique Moody's death.

Chance Lynch

An attorney working with Ben Crump on the investigation into Dominique Moody's death.

Dominique Moody

The six-year-old girl who died in December 2025 while in the custody of her aunt.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“They miss these red flags, these flashing lights. The school said the little sister missed over 20 days. Who's going to go check and see what's going on in this home?”

— Ben Crump, Attorney

“I just want to say my baby didn't deserve what she went through.”

— Ikea McKnight, Dominique Moody's biological mother

What’s next

No litigation has been filed yet, and attorneys are still in the early stages of investigating the case. They say they owe it to Dominique Moody and her family to find out everything that happened and how it was allowed to happen.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the ongoing failures of the child welfare system to protect vulnerable children, even when there are clear signs of abuse and neglect. It underscores the need for reforms to ensure that no child falls through the cracks and that authorities are held accountable for missed opportunities to intervene and save lives.