A North Carolina grandmother has been charged with beating her 8-year-old granddaughter to death.
Patricia Ann Ricks, 72, was arrested and charged with first degree murder and child abuse with severe injury after the badly injured 8-year-old was brought to the emergency room at Nash UNC Healthcare in Rocky Mount. Hospital personnel notified law enforcement when the girl arrived at about 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, but she died before deputies arrived.
Investigators said the child had “severe injuries throughout her entire body and head,” WTVD reported.
Deputies said that several of the child’s siblings lived at the home with Ricks, who was their legal guardian. The other children have been placed into the custody of the Nash County Department of Social Services.
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Detectives have not yet determined a motive. Ricks is being held without bond and is due in court on Thursday.
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[Featured image: Patricia Ann Ricks/Nash County Sheriff’s Office]
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