On April 5, 2023, 32-year-old Terrance Jajuan Bordeaux was driving three children on Red Hill Road (SR 1700) in Welches Creek, Columbus County, North Carolina, when he ran off the road, lost control, overcorrected, struck a culvert, and flipped the car into a ditch. His 8-year-old son, Terrance Bordeaux Jr., who was restrained, was pronounced dead the same day, and a 10-month-old child died the following day at the hospital; a 4-year-old girl survived with serious injuries. Speed was cited as a factor. The medical examiner ruled the death an accident, but Bordeaux pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 94 to 125 months in prison.
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?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
The WWAY article states Bordeaux "was travelling north on Red Hill Road when he ran off the right side of the road, lost control and overcorrected. He struck a culvert and caused the car to flip." The medical examiner record lists Cause of Death as "Motor Vehicle."
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)?
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?
The WECT article identifies the driver as "Terrance Jujuan Bordeaux" and the victim as "8-year-old Terrance Bordeaux Jr." The News Reporter states "Bordeaux was the father of one of the children." The father was driving when he crossed the centerline, overcorrected, and flipped the car.
Was a biological mother involved in the 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)
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 WWAY article states Bordeaux "was arrested and has been charged with three counts of Felony Child Neglect with Serious Bodily Injury, two counts of Felony Death by Vehicle." The WECT article reports he "pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder" and "was sentenced to 94 to 125 months in active prison."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
Notable that despite the medical examiner ruling the manner of death an "Accident" (NC_23_1757.pdf), the father pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder per the WECT article. Speed was an aggravating factor: "Trooper C.B. Capps with State Highway Patrol says speed was a factor in the crash." Notably, all three children were properly restrained: "All three children were restrained with car seats and/or seatbelts," yet two died.
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