Nash mother, boyfriend charged in overdoses of baby, 4-year-old

According to the Nashville Police Department, on Monday, Sept. 6, around 9:30 p.m., the baby and a 4-year-old sibling were taken to Nash UNC Hospital after accidentally ingesting Oxycodone, which was "on the bed within reach of both children," police said. The children were later transferred to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville.

“It’s like when it’s this close, it hits home,” said Arnesia Kirtz, who lives where the incident occurred on Richardson Court.

“It’s devastating. As a parent, I hurt for her and the family, and the boys,” she added.

The mother's boyfriend, Kameron Daekwon Harris-Brooks, of Charlotte, was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance and two counts of misdemeanor child abuse. He was placed in the Nash County jail under a $225,000 secured bond.

After the baby died on Sept. 9, police said, Harris-Brooks' charges were upgraded to involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment. The mother of the children, Jorese Howard, was also arrested for the same charges.

Kirtz saw paramedics take the baby away in an ambulance. The 4-year-old is in stable condition.

She lives in the apartment just below the children and said her kids have played with theirs from time to time.

“I came out to lights everywhere. I mean we never have anything like happen out here," she said. "It’s not a bad neighborhood. So it’s just like when you hear something like this it’s just very sad." 

Harris-Brooks and Howard were in the Nash County jail on $260,000 and $50,000 secured bonds, respectively.

Harris-Brooks has previous convictions for breaking and entering, felony larceny, breaking and entering a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon and felony probation violation, police said.

Before being charged, the mother created a GoFundMe page to help with medical expenses for her two children.

“No one wins. I’m praying for strength for the family,” Kirtz said.