Father surrenders in death of child

AHOSKIE, N.C. (WAVY) - Police say a man has surrendered to police for the March 2012 death of his 5-month-old child.

According to Chief Troy Fitzhugh with the Ahoskie Police Department, 21-year-old Joshua D'Aundrey Powell of Ahoskie turned himself in to police on the afternoon of Sept. 12.

Fitzhugh says Powell was served indictments for first degree murder and two counts of child abuse.

Paris Pope, the child's mother, had left the child in the care of Powell at his home on North McGlohon Street while she was away for a weekend in March 2012. Police responded to the home the following Tuesday to reports of an unresponsive child. The child, Ashton, was taken to a hospital but passed away shortly after.

Ashton was staying at Powell's home along with his girlfriend, who told WAVY.com in March she and Powell were not responsible for the baby's death.

"Me and my boyfriend would never do anything to hurt a child," Nicole Rankins said. "I have three kids of my own. I would never do anything to hurt a child."

Fitzhugh says an indictment was served Sept. 4 following an investigation and an autopsy.

Powell is expected in court in Hertford County Oct. 29.

Police say although an arrest has been made, anyone with information is still asked to call the Ahoskie Police Department at 252-332-5012.