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Mother charged in 2-year-old boy's 2016 death takes plea deal

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte mother took a plea deal Thursday morning in the 2016 murder of her own son.

Police initially charged Tenisha Wells and her boyfriend, Patrick Chambers, with murder in the death of the woman’s 2-year-old son in July of 2016 in east Charlotte.

Authorities determined the pair was responsible for the boy’s death on July 25.

The medical examiner said the boy had broken ribs, bruises, and a lacerated liver.

READ MORE: Police investigating 2-year-old's death as homicide in Charlotte

The boy also had a burn on the right side of his body consistent with the top of a lighter, according to the medical examiner.

On Thursday, Wells pleaded guilty to felony child abuse.

Wells and Chambers

Police were called to the home in the 4900 block of Farm Pond Lane around 11:35 p.m. on July 25 for an unresponsive child.

Officers said both Wells and Chambers were at the home with several other children.

The child was taken to Novant Presbyterian Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The medical examiner said the child had new and old injuries.

"There are several adults who were in the position to provide care to the child in the days leading up to his death," according to the CMPD news release. "As part of the detectives continuing investigation, they are interviewing these caregivers and gathering evidence."

“I am really shocked because kids are out here playing all the time and they call me cousin,” Laura Hooper, who lives next door, said.

She said police questioned her Thursday about the case but she did not know until Friday that they believed the boy was allegedly killed and she said the little boy’s mother always seemed like a good parent.

“I don't know what happened but I can't see her hurting her child,” Hooper said.

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