Arrest made after child found in roadway -- second incident in 48 hours
On June 8, 2025, Kinston Police Department’s A-Squad responded to a report of a toddler in the roadway near 130 S. Queen Street. Officers quickly located and secured a 2-year-old child and contacted Lenoir County DSS for assistance.
During the investigation, it was discovered that this was the second time in two days that the same child had been found unsupervised. While on scene, the child’s legal parent, Mecca Muhammad (29 of Kinston), arrived. Officers then learned an 8-month-old child had been left home alone.
DSS responded and determined both children would be removed from the home and placed with their paternal grandfather.
Muhammad was arrested and charged with:
-Child Abuse
-Exposing a Child to Fire (2 counts)
Clarification:
Under NC General Statute §14-318, "Exposing a child to fire" applies when a child under the age of eight is left confined in a dwelling without proper supervision, potentially exposing them to danger, including fire. This offense is classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
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