Mooresville, NC – The Mooresville Police Department (MPD), in coordination with the U.S. Marshals Service, has arrested a woman on multiple charges, including second-degree murder, following an investigation into the death of her child.
According to police, officers responded to a medical call on February 13, 2024, at a residence on Ridge Avenue involving a child under two years old. Despite lifesaving efforts, the child did not survive. Detectives launched an investigation, which determined that the child had died due to fentanyl toxicity after ingesting a lethal dose of the drug.
Authorities say the child’s mother, 23-year-old Riley Tehy Wormington, moved out of state shortly after giving birth to a second child while the investigation was ongoing. Based on the findings of the investigation, arrest warrants were issued for Wormington on charges of second-degree murder, felony child abuse, felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, felony maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Additional warrants were also issued in connection with the birth of Wormington’s second child, including charges of felony child abuse, felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, felony maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
On February 18, 2025, Wormington was located and arrested in Denver, Colorado, by the U.S. Marshals Service. She will be extradited to Iredell County to face charges.
The Mooresville Police Department expressed gratitude to the U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance in the arrest.
This case remains under investigation.
