On May 2, 2022, Asheville police responded to a welfare check at the Rodeway Inn on Crowell Road and discovered the body of a three-year-old boy who appeared extremely malnourished. The child had been staying at the hotel for months with his mother, Chantrarica Nasha Matthews (29), and his grandmother, Inga Torrence Matthews (50), both from Gastonia, North Carolina. The cause of death was determined to be starvation due to extreme malnourishment, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide. Both women were charged with first-degree murder, felony child abuse, and concealment of death, with warrants stating the crime was premeditated with malice aforethought. Official documents indicated a failure to provide food, water, and medical treatment led to the child's death. The mother was subsequently found incapable of standing trial due to an unresolved psychotic disorder; court records revealed she claimed to hear voices and believed the child was possessed by a demon.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
The medical examiner report (NC_22_37.pdf) lists the cause of death as "Starvation (extreme malnourishment)." The first WLOS article states "both are accused of starving the child to death" and "the child appeared to be extremely malnourished." The second WLOS article confirms "A failure to provide food, water and medical treatment led to the child's death."
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
The second WLOS news article states: "A failure to provide food, water and medical treatment led to the child's death at the hotel, official documents say." The explicit mention of failure to provide medical treatment constitutes medical neglect.
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
The first WLOS article states the warrants describe the crime as premeditated "with malice aforethought" and that "Police say both women had been staying at the hotel for months, and both are accused of starving the child to death." The second WLOS article adds that the mother "believed the 3-year-old was possessed by a demon" and that "A failure to provide food, water and medical treatment led to the child's death." This describes intentional starvation — a sustained deprivation of food and water over an extended period — which the question explicitly lists as an example of deliberately cruel treatment.
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The medical examiner report identifies Chantrarica Nasha Matthews as the child's mother, and the first WLOS article confirms she was "the victim's mother." Both sources indicate she was charged with first-degree murder, felony child abuse, and concealment of death in connection with the child's death.
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
The medical examiner report identifies Inga Torrence Matthews (50) as the child's grandmother, and she was charged with first-degree murder, felony child abuse, and concealment of death. The first WLOS article confirms she is "the victim's grandmother" and was equally charged.
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The medical examiner report states both Chantrarica Nasha Matthews and Inga Torrence Matthews "were charged with first-degree murder, felony child abuse, and concealment of death." The first WLOS article corroborates these charges and adds details about bond amounts.
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
The medical examiner report (NC_22_37.pdf) states the child was "staying at the hotel with his mother" at the Rodeway Inn. The first WLOS article confirms "Police say both women had been staying at the hotel for months." Living at a hotel/motel for months indicates a temporary shelter situation.
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
The second WLOS article states: "court documents show Chantarica Matthews' psychotic disorder has not resolved, leading a judge to order treatment at Broughton Hospital. The records show Matthews claimed to hear and speak to voices and believed the 3-year-old was possessed by a demon." This directly references the mother's mental health.
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
The second WLOS article reports several notable details not fully captured by the preceding questions. The mother, Chantarica Matthews, was found incapable of standing trial due to an unresolved psychotic disorder and was ordered to receive treatment at Broughton Hospital. Court records show she "claimed to hear and speak to voices and believed the 3-year-old was possessed by a demon." Additionally, a linked headline within the article references that the "MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER ACCUSED OF KILLING TODDLER TRANSFERRED FOR REFUSING TO EAT," suggesting both defendants themselves refused food while in custody. Both were also charged with concealment of death/failure to report the child's death. The warrants stated the crime was premeditated "with malice aforethought."
These fields were populated by an AI model and may contain inaccuracies. Review the links and PDFs provided for verification before citing. Contact [email protected] to report any inaccuracies where corrections are needed.