Gastonia Parents Plead Guilty Felony Child Abuse After 7-Year-Old Hit, Killed

Jessica Ivey and Samuele Jenkins, parents of 7-year-old Legend Jenkins who was fatally struck by a car in Gastonia, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to felony child abuse after sending their son and his brother to cross a busy street unsupervised. The incident occurred on May 27, 2025, when the boys attempted to cross Hudson Boulevard to retrieve food and Legend was hit by a car while not using a crosswalk. Authorities determined the 76-year-old driver was not at fault, as she was driving within the speed limit and obeying traffic laws. As part of a plea deal, the parents' original charges of involuntary manslaughter were dropped; Jenkins received a suspended sentence of 19-32 months and three years' probation, while Ivey received a suspended sentence of 10-21 months and 30 months' probation. Both must complete parenting classes and cooperate with social services. The District Attorney cited the family's circumstances, including having six children, in the decision to offer probation rather than prison time.