Local News

Cumberland County Deputy Placed On Administrative Leave

Posted Updated
Issac Godfrey
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — A sheriff's deputy was placed on administrative leave for driving a man to a hospital to see his infant son, whose injuries the man is accused of causing, authorities said.

The 4-month-old boy died a few hours after the visit.

Deputy Peggy Cook was off duty when she drove Isaac Godfrey, 19, to see his son, Zyquarius, at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, said Debbie Tanna, spokeswoman for the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office. She used her personal vehicle, Tanna said.

The internal affairs department is investigating whether Cook acted appropriately, she said.

Zyquarius Godfrey fell out of a moving sport utility vehicle on Thursday afternoon when his father jumped from the vehicle as the SUV approached a police traffic stop.

Godfrey, who police said had outstanding warrants for felony breaking and entering, was charged with felonious child abuse inflicting serious injury and contributing to the neglect of a juvenile.

Zyquarius, whose head was injured in the fall, died early Friday.

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