3 women indicted in death of 6-year-old girl allegedly forced to live in dog crate

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (TCN) -- Three women have been indicted in the death of a 6-year-old girl who was allegedly forced to live in a dog crate inside a home authorities described as “filthy.”

Indictments were returned Jan. 5 against 61-year-old Susan Robinson, 51-year-old Tonya McKnight, and 22-year-old Tery’n McKnight, WCNC reports. 

On Dec. 16, 2025, police were called regarding the child’s welfare, according to WBTV. Responding officers found the child, Dominique, not breathing inside the home. She was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. Her last name has not been released. 

Court records obtained by WCNC describe the home where Dominique was found as “unkempt, contains human and animal feces in each room of the residence, has no centralized heating source, and is infested with rats and cockroaches, which bite and cause harm.”

An investigation revealed Dominique was covered in scars and burns, according to WCNC. She weighed 27 pounds at the time of her death and had severe diaper rash from wearing soiled diapers for a prolonged time. She had also suffered broken bones, including ribs in various stages of healing. The child was allegedly forced to live in a dog crate, and if she stole food or did not listen to her caretakers, she would be taped down or restrained.

WBTV reports Dominique’s cause of death has not yet been made available.

An affidavit obtained by WCNC states Robinson and Tonya McKnight texted after Dominique died, saying they were in trouble and needed to clean the house. During the investigation, detectives found images on Robinson’s phone of Dominique duct-taped and wrapped in plastic. 

Court records show that five children, including Dominique, lived in the home, WCNC reports. The current whereabouts of the other four children have not been released.

Robinson, the child’s aunt, was arrested and charged Dec. 20, 2025. Tonya McKnight, the child’s legal guardian, was arrested Dec. 22, 2025, and Tery’n McKnight was arrested and charged Dec. 24, 2025, WBTV reports. All were charged with felony child abuse — inflicting serious bodily injury and four counts of misdemeanor child abuse. 

According to the outlet, Tery’n McKnight was arrested after being released from the hospital; she was not arrested right away because she had been hit by a truck. 

Prosecutors are considering bringing murder charges in the case, WCNC reports.

Dominique’s biological mother, Ikea McKnight, told WCNC she believed the relatives she left Dominique with could be trusted.

Robinson and Tery’n McKnight are being held without bond, according to WCNC. Tonya McKnight is being held on a $2 million bond. All three are next scheduled to appear in court on March 9.

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