On February 21, 2024, members of the Kinston Police Department were called to assist the Lenoir Department of Social Services at an apartment in Carver Courts Housing Community after two small children were found malnourished and home alone. Upon arrival, Detectives and the department’s Victims Services Specialist began gathering information related to the condition of the children. Subsequently, Lenoir County EMS was called, and the children were taken to ECU Health Center for treatment. 

After a thorough investigation, it was determined that the mother, Jasmine Mishell-Arianna Lee, 26, of Kinston, had not provided proper nutrition and care. Lee was later arrested for Felony Child Abuse and placed in the Lenoir County Jail under a secured bond. Both children remain under the care of ECU Health Physicians and are doing well.   

The Kinston Police Department makes it a priority to investigate all crimes perpetrated in our city. We will investigate such cases without compromise for crime and continue to seek assistance from the community we proudly serve.  If anyone has information about this incident, please call the Kinston Police Department’s Tips Line at 252-939-4020, Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at 252-523-4444, or through the Tip411 App that is available on both Apple and Android devices.  Calls to Crime Stoppers are confidential and anonymous, and the caller may be eligible for a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest.