MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Two Mooresville parents were served with felony first-degree murder indictments at the Iredell County Detention Center following the death of their infant child from severe malnourishment, the sheriff said.
Kendal Lee Hayes, 34 and Glenn John Delgreco II, 33, were issued no bond on the new charges by Magistrate R. Imes.
The indictments follow a Sept. 2 presentation of evidence to an Iredell County grand jury, which incorporated autopsy findings from Wake Forest Medical Center. Medical examiners determined the infant’s cause of death was severe protein-calorie malnutrition due to caregiver neglect and ruled the death a homicide, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release on Tuesday.
Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation into the infant’s death. Evidence collected by investigators indicated the infant had lost approximately one-third of its body weight since birth and suffered from severe malnourishment and dehydration. Detectives determined that despite significant and apparent signs of medical distress, the infant was not provided necessary medical treatment before dying.
Investigators established that Hayes and Delgreco lived in a Mooresville residence alongside the infant’s grandparents, Alice Loraine Evans and Thomas Virgil Evans. All four adults shared responsibility for the infant’s care, well-being and safety, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office said. On June 11, deputies with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office served all four suspects with outstanding warrants charging them with felony child abuse and aiding and abetting.
On Tuesday, Hayes and Delgreco were served with their indictments at the Iredell County Detention Center.