Driver Could Be Charged With First-Degree Murder In Boy's Death

Investigators said Sunday that they believe Rebecca Neville, 25, intended to hurt the boy's family and that the death by motor vehicle charge she currently faces could be upgrade to first-degree murder.

Authorities said Neville drove Keligah Randolph and his three siblings home early Saturday morning after they had spent Friday evening at two Dee's Christian Day-Care Centers in Rocky Mount.

Charles Randolph, the victim's uncle, told WRAL that someone from the day care had showed up to drop off the children earlier Friday evening, but that their mother was not there to get them.

Because the children recognized Neville, who was also at the house looking for the children's mother, the day care left them with her. When the mother got home later, Randolph said, she was angry because Neville was not on a list of people approved to transport the children.

The victim's mother then called Neville to return the children, according to Randolph. When she brought them back two hours later, the two began arguing on the porch as the children played around them.

Then, Neville got back in her car and drove it into the front porch, police said. Keligah, on the steps, took the brunt of the impact and was pronounced dead a short time later at Nash General Hospital.

Randolph said that he also blames the day care for Keligah's death.

"If they had never given (the children) to (Neville, she) and my sister would have never gotten into an argument," Randolph said. "She would have never drove in here and tried to hit my sister, or nothing. It's their fault."

Neville, who also faces a driving while impaired charge, was released from the Edgecombe County Detention Center Saturday on a $5,000 bond. Her first court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday.