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Father arrested, mother sought after child with untreated leukemia died in ENC hotel room

PRE News & Ideas | By Annette Weston
Published May 29, 2025 at 7:56 AM EDT
Timothy Curry, left, has been charged with felony negligent child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury and involuntary manslaughter in the death of his six-year-old son. Investigators are still looking for the child's mother Saunsiree Jefferson, right, who may have ties to the Atlanta, Georgia area.
Timothy Curry, left, has been charged with felony negligent child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury and involuntary manslaughter in the death of his six-year-old son. Investigators are still looking for the child's mother Saunsiree Jefferson, right, who may have ties to the Atlanta, Georgia area.

Police have arrested the father of a young boy who was found dead in a motel room in Greenville last November.

Police said Timothy Curry has been charged with felony negligent child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury and involuntary manslaughter in the death of his six-year-old son.

Investigators said the child was found dead in a room at the Knights Inn on Memorial Drive, where the family had been living in unsanitary conditions.

An autopsy report shows the boy had leukemia, and investigators believe the illness had been ongoing and the parents’ failure to get medical care played a significant role in the child’s death.

Curry was arrested in the Charlotte area, and police are still looking for the child’s mother.

They said Saunsiree Jefferson may have ties to the Atlanta, Georgia area, and law enforcement agencies are working together to find her.
Annette Weston
Annette is originally a Midwest gal, born and raised in Michigan, but with career stops in many surrounding states, the Pacific Northwest, and various parts of the southeast. An award-winning journalist and mother of four, Annette moved to eastern North Carolina in 2019 to be closer to family – in particular, her two young grandchildren. It’s possible that a -27 day with a -68 windchill in Minnesota may have also played a role in that decision. In her spare time, Annette does a lot of kiddo cuddling, reading, and producing the coolest Halloween costumes anyone has ever seen. She has also worked as a diversity and inclusion facilitator serving school districts and large corporations. It’s the people that make this beautiful area special, and she wants to share those stories that touch the hearts of others. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.
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