Lenoir County Sheriff's Office: Child dies, tests positive for controlled substance - Father charged

On Saturday, November 26th, at approximately 8:45 pm, Deputies of the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office responded to UNC Lenoir Health Care in reference to a 6-year-old male child that was unresponsive.  The child was pronounced deceased at the hospital. 

The investigation found that the family of the victim was visiting Lenoir County from Whittier N.C., located in Jackson County, during the Thanksgiving holiday. The investigation reveals that the child tested positive for the presence of controlled substances.

The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office in this investigation.  The father of the child, Glenn Hershel Strickland, has been charged with 2nd Degree Murder and 3 counts of Felony Child Abuse.  On Thursday, 12/01/2022, Jackson County Deputies arrested Strickland on Arrest Warrants obtained in Lenoir County.  Strickland was transferred to the W.E. Billy Smith Detention Center on 12/02/2022 where he remains in custody under a 2-million-dollar secure bond.

Please contact the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office if you have any information in regard to this investigation.

252-559-6100 Main Office

252-559-6140 Investigations

252-523-4444 Kinston / Lenoir Co. Crime Stoppers