2 charged in killing of woman, unborn child in Burke County, authorities say

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — Two people were charged with murder Wednesday in connection with the killing of a woman and the death of her unborn child in Burke County.

Channel 9′s cameras were there as Dylan Rogers was led away to jail. Rogers is accused of killing Brandi Deal on Friday night, one day before she was due to deliver a baby girl.

Earlier this week, we could see investigators collecting evidence outside the home along Clark Loop where it appeared someone fired into the mobile home.

Rogers told Channel 9′s Dave Faherty he wasn’t at the home when the shooting happened.

“I was in bed asleep,” Rogers said. “Talk to my lawyers.”

Rogers said he was in bed sleeping and that he wouldn’t hurt a child.

“Lord no,” Rogers said. “I love children.”

Tammy Boone was also charged with murder.

Both Rogers and Boone appeared before a judge Thursday morning, where they asked for court-appointed attorneys.

Sheriff deputies said they are also questioning a woman possibly connected to the case.

The couple was taken to the Burke County jail and was being held Thursday with no bond.

The Burke County district attorney said someone could be charged for the death of Deal’s unborn child. DA Scott Reilly said there is a felony charge in North Carolina for the death of an unborn child, where someone can be sentenced to life in prison. He said that’s something they’re considering, but it has not happened yet.

“Just like the death of a live person, it is divided up into degrees,” Reilly said. “It can be first-degree, second-degree, voluntary or involuntary.”

Some who live and work near where the shooting happened don’t believe the initial charges went far enough.

“Once you’re pregnant with a baby, it’s still a human being. It didn’t even have a chance to even have a life,” said neighbor Felicia Phillips.

However, the investigation is still ongoing and additional charges are still possible, investigators said. Prosecutors said they could also go in front of a grand jury to seek an indictment.

Faherty also learned that Rogers and Boone knew Deal’s boyfriend, Richard Buff. Buff said he had recently worked on Boone’s car, but had not been paid in full for the work. He told Faherty that when the shooting happened, he had gone to the store.

“She was excited to have this baby girl,” Buff said. “We weren’t expecting her to get pregnant.”

Deputies are not discussing the motive in the case.

VIDEO: Pregnant Burke County woman shot, killed 1 week before due date, loved ones say

Pregnant Burke County woman shot, killed 1 week before due date, loved ones say

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