October 25, 2025
Child Dies At July 4th Gathering
KENLY – A July 4th gathering of family and friends at a Johnston County home ended with the tragic death of a child.
It happened around 7:21pm Friday at a home on Rhodes Road outside of Kenly.
A number of adults and approximately 10 children had gathered at the home for Independence Day.
Authorities said a 7 year-old boy was in the garage-area playing. Somehow the child became trapped underneath a weight-training fitness machine. The child suffocated underneath the heavy weight.
CPR was performed on the child but life-saving efforts were not successful.
The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office said there were no signs of foul play. No criminal charges were filed.
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Before y’all comment something negative, I know these people and children are everything to them. It was truly a freak accident. Also, at a harmless July 4th party with children playing outside, it is common for parents to be inside momentarily to have conversation. So, I don’t want to hear negativity from the despicables.
On trust me, that Yankee troll tell the truth will put his two cent in this. God rest that child
My thoughts exactly 💯
Tell the truth or whatever their name is has zero reading comprehension & can barely form a coherent sentence, defending armed dealers & victim blaming
There is nothing negative to say. This is just tragic and sad. Prayers for the parents of this poor little baby. I can’t imagine what the parents are going thru.
I hope with everything in me no one leaves anything nasty for these parents, probably already riddled with guilt and most assuredly with grief, to see. Kids will be kids and no parent can say they’ve never left their children to play on their own before. At his age, it’s age appropriate for them to have playtime on their own for a little while. We all just never know. Not one of us. This mama and daddy have nothing to feel guilty for. Though I don’t know them or their precious little boy, I am grieving with them and praying so so hard for them. As a mom of a little boy…I just can’t even let my mind go there. May God wrap His loving arms around this family and community and give you all supernatural healing, comfort, peace and strength in Jesus Might name! Love your Neighbor in Sampson County.
You all should be ashamed of yourselves for posting this private information about a child’s death. How disgusting. Some of the family didn’t even know all these details
Heartbreaking! A parent’s worst nightmare – losing their children. Thinking of this family and their friends. Just very sad.
So heartbreaking that a family has to experience something so unthinkable, unimaginable that completely changes everything about the life as they knew it
And then instead of being able to grieve and try to comprehend and deal with the tragedy of what has happened they feel the need to have to defend and/or correct ‘details’!!!! Omg! What is wrong with people???? I don’t personally know this family but as a mother myself I can not imagine what she’s going through, especially with so many inconsiderate, judgmental and insensitive people/comments/questions! I pray for this family and my heart breaks for everyone involved! People be kind and show empathy, sympathy, love and compassion please! At any given moment we could find ourselves in a situation we never could have imagined nor prevented!
This is heartbreaking. It’s no one’s fault he was doing what children do and a tragedy happened. I pray for the family right now as I can’t even begin to imagine the heartbreak and sadness.
So heartbreaking 💔 prayers for his parents & his siblings God wrap your hands around them the days ahead Rip marrick
This is so awful. My heart breaks for the family. As a mom with 5 kids, I fully grasp how easy this could be any single one of us going through this. Tragedy can strike any given second. Many prayers to this family as these will be the hardest days they will ever endure. I’m so sorry.
Be careful judging and what you sow. The Bible is clear, it doesn’t say you might reap. It says you will surely reap what you sow. Instead of judging and quoting opinions how about getting before the lord and lift this family up in prayer. Coming from a mom who lost a child. Nobody but God can help. There’s no words that will help or heal. But our Father which is in heaven can. So I encourage everyone to pray. Our state and other areas of our country are dealing with death rather it be of from the disasters or cases like this. Pray. You may have your family today and gone tomorrow. We aren’t promised tomorrow. Pray for all the hurting from western nc to Texas. If you were doing what you should there’s no way you could post negative stuff.
I mimic so many of these comments. Losing a child is unthinkable. Being judged in addition to the immense grief is unacceptable. This is 100 percent what’s wrong with our country. We point fingers and have put empathy aside. Don’t sweep my porch, until you’ve swept yours. Seven years old is absolutely appropriate for short moments of independent play. Nobody can say otherwise. May the hands of God and the caring community be on this family. Golden rule folks; if you have nothing helpful, step aside.
I am so sorry for your loss definitely prayers going up