Back in January, the boyfriend of Mariah Woods’ mother, was charged with the toddlers death. She went missing in November, and her body was later found in a river. Earl Kimrey has been charged with first-degree murder, felony child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury, felony common law obstruction of justice, felony concealment of death, second degree burglary, felony larceny, and felony possession of stolen property. The cause of death was determined to be chloroform poison.

The state is now seeking the death penalty for the boyfriend. According to WNCT, state also intends to declare the first-degree murder case as capital murder.

Kimrey’s next court appearance in Onslow County Superior Court is scheduled for February 26.

Written by Clarke Jones