Woman accused of locking a child in dog crate and starving her before her death

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Rats, roaches, and filth are just some of the conditions investigators say children were enduring inside a home on Gywnne Hill Road in East Charlotte.

Police responded to the home on December 16th where they found Dominique Moody not breathing. The six year old girl was pronounced dead at the hospital. The autopsy report showed she had open wounds, broken bones, and rashes. She weighed only 27 pounds.

Court records show Susan Robinson is now facing four counts of misdemeanor child abuse and one count of child abuse inflicting serious mental or physical injury. Police say they found photos on Robinson’s phone of the child duct taped with swollen hands and feet.
Other children in the home ranged in age from a 1 year old to a 6 year old. The children called Robinson Auntie according to the affidavit.

Court records also show, the children told detectives Moody lived in a dog crate and when she wasn’t breathing the adults put her in front of the stove to warm her up and bring her back to life.

When WCCB visited the home Monday three people in an SUV wandered around the property wearing masks and shoe coverings but refused to answer who they were or why they visiting the home.

City records show several code enforcement violations at the home ranging from overgrown vegetation to junk cars and trash on the curb.

Warrants have been issued for Tonya and Tery’n McKnight. Tonya McKnight is listed as the guardian of the child in court documents.

The four children that were living in the home have since been removed. Robinson is scheduled to appear in court again in January. The investigation is ongoing and authorities have not said if more charges could be filed.