A North Carolina father, Aaron Carter of Fayetteville, has been arrested in connection with the tragic death of his 2-year-old son, River Carter, who was found dead after being left alone in a room with elevated temperatures caused by a space heater.
According to the Moore County Sheriff’s Office, deputies took Carter into custody on January 7, charging him with involuntary manslaughter and felony child abuse following a thorough investigation into the incident.
Authorities allege that Carter left River isolated in an overheated room for 12 hours on December 2, 2023. First responders arrived at the scene to find the child unresponsive, and he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
River’s obituary describes the toddler as a joyful and loving child who “enjoyed making people smile and giving hugs.” The obituary further noted his love for outdoor activities, animals, vehicles, music, and dancing, saying he possessed “so much character for a 2-year-old” and had “the most genuine and kind soul.”
Carter was booked into the Moore County Detention Center, where he remains held on a $500,000 bond.
