A North Carolina mother surrendered to law enforcement after authorities allege her toddler died in a preventable incident at their home.
Elizabeth Marie Holderness, 30, is charged with felony involuntary manslaughter, felony negligent child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury, and six misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, according to the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office in a statement shared Monday, Jan. 5.
Deputies responded to a residence in Jacksonville at about 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 11, 2025, after a 911 call reporting a missing child, the statement said. Investigators allege they found the 16-month-old boy submerged inside a water-filled container on the front porch.
Deputies and EMS attempted lifesaving measures before the child was taken to Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, where he was later pronounced dead.
“Following a thorough investigation, it was determined that negligence from the child’s mother was a contributing factor in the juvenile’s death,” the sheriff’s office alleged in its statement.
While caring for the child, Holderness allegedly spent an extended period of time in a separate room using illegal substances, according to arrest warrants cited by local station WCTI.
The sheriff’s office said Holderness turned herself in Monday.
During her first court appearance the same day, a judge ordered Holderness held on a $75,000 unsecured bond, WCTI reported. It is unclear whether she has entered a plea or retained an attorney to comment on her behalf.
