Child death investigation leads to arrest in drug search in Hoke County

Hoke County Sheriff’s Office said a child is dead and two people are facing multiple charges.

2025-12-09

On Monday, Hoke County Sheriff’s deputies said an unresponsive child was brought to a local hospital on Thursday, Dec. 4. Despite life-saving efforts, deputies said the child later died.

Following an investigation, deputies said they obtained a search warrant for a home on Clan Campbell Road, where Allen Carter and Bridget Leach were arrested.

Deputies said the two people knew each other and were not related to the child.

During their search, deputies said guns and drugs were found in the home.

Both Carter and Leach face multiple felony charges. Carter is being held on $250,000 bond, and Leach is being held on a $20,000 bond.

Deputies have not released the name of the child who died, nor the cause of their death.

The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective J. Glass at (910)875-5111.