Mother charged with murder in death of 9-year-old son at Fayetteville hotel

Around 10:30 a.m., officers with the Fayetteville Police Department responded to the Fairfield Inn and Suites located at 4249 Ramsey Street. At the scene, they found Zamarie Chance unresponsive in a third floor hotel room. The child was transported to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center where he died as a result of his injuries.

Chance's mother, Crystal M. Matthews, 35, of the 6000 block of Whitemoss Court, was charged with first-degree murder and felony child abuse.

According to officials, a hotel guest had called 911 saying they heard a physical disturbance taking place on the third floor of the hotel.

"It was just like this repetitive thud on the floor, but then when I muted my TV that's when I started hearing her muffled cries for help," the caller said during the 911 call. "I called the front desk and they said they would send someone up there but I haven't heard a knock up there and it's continuing."

Authorities were working Sunday to determine why Matthews and her son were at the hotel, but said the mother and son were the only two people staying in the room.

Authorities said Matthews assaulted her son, causing fatal blunt trauma injuries. She was not under the influence at the time of the incident, authorities said.

Matthews was being held without bond Saturday night at the Cumberland County Detention Center. She is scheduled to appear in court on Monday afternoon.