North Carolina introduces child safety bill following coverage of 6-year-old’s death
After months of WBTV’s investigative reporting on the tragic death of 6-year-old Dominique Moody in December 2025, a child safety bill has been introduced in North Carolina in her name to address gaps in the system that failed to protect her from abuse. The bill, known as State House Bill 1144, aims to create a child welfare case escalation team under the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. This team would step in at a regional level when a child has a history of multiple reports or other complicating factors, rather than leaving the decision-making solely to individual counties.
The bill has garnered bipartisan support, with initial sponsors like Democratic state Rep. Mike Colvin recognizing the need for legislative action to prevent future tragedies like Dominique’s death. State Rep. Allen Chesser, a Republican who sits on the House Select Committee on Oversight and Reform, has been actively involved in investigating the failures of Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department in Dominique’s case.
Under the proposed legislation, counties would be required to escalate cases to the regional team when presented with Child Protective Services reports for children with extensive child welfare history, multiple reports to CPS within a short period, past foster care involvement, substantiated findings of neglect, or repeated reports of medical neglect. The regional team, composed of representatives from each of the state’s five regions along with a supervisor, would provide additional oversight and guidance in making decisions about these complex cases.
While the bill represents a step in the right direction, Rep. Carla Cunningham emphasized that it is not a one-size-fits-all solution but rather a tool to enhance oversight and decision-making at the county level. The legislation would also allocate more than half a million dollars to establish the regional team and provide additional resources for county social services departments.
Rep. Chesser stressed the importance of addressing the systemic failures that led to Dominique Moody’s death, highlighting the need for improved oversight and review of decision-making processes within social services agencies. By implementing measures like the child welfare case escalation team, the bill aims to prevent future tragedies and ensure that vulnerable children receive the protection and support they need to thrive.
In conclusion, the child safety bill filed in North Carolina after extensive reporting on Dominique Moody’s case is a crucial step towards reforming the child welfare system and ensuring that no child suffers a similar fate in the future. By addressing gaps in oversight and decision-making, the legislation seeks to improve the safety and well-being of children across the state, honoring Dominique’s memory and advocating for a brighter future for all children in North Carolina.