ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — A Gastonia woman pleaded guilty in Buncombe County Superior Court on Monday to multiple charges related to a child’s death.
Chantarica Nasha Matthews, 32, entered a guilty plea to charges of the following:
- Second-degree murder
- Felony concealing and/or failing to report the death of a child
- Felony negligent child abuse causing serious bodily injury
MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER ACCUSED OF KILLING TODDLER TRANSFERRED AFTER REFUSING TO EAT
In May 2022, Chantarica Matthews and her mother, Inga Torrence Matthews, were charged in the death of a three-year-old boy after police found his body at the Rodeway Inn in Asheville. The two women were accused of starving the child to death.
Investigators with the Criminal Investigations Division said the child appeared to be extremely malnourished. A failure to provide food, water and medical treatment led to the toddler’s death at the hotel, official documents say.
‘IT’S HEARTBREAKING, DEVASTATING,’ RODEWAY INN OWNER SAYS OF TODDLER FOUND DEAD AT HOTEL
In March 2023, a judge found Matthews incapable of standing trial at that time after court documents showed that her psychotic disorder had not resolved. Court records said Matthews claimed to hear and speak to voices and believed the toddler was possessed by a demon.
Matthews’ guilty plea on June 30, 2025, was made before Superior Court Judge Jacqueline Grant, who had earlier ruled Matthews competent to stand trial.
MOTHER CHARGED WITH CHILD’S DEATH FOUND INCAPABLE TO STAND TRIAL, WILL RECEIVE TREATMENT
On Monday, Matthews was sentenced to 137 to 177 months (11 to nearly 15 years) in prison. She will also undergo mental health treatment.
