A 33-year-old North Carolina man will serve decades in prison for murdering a pregnant woman outside her home, where she lived with her 7-year-old daughter, who is nonverbal and autistic, according to authorities.
Desean Maddox pleaded guilty on Thursday to second-degree murder, murder of an unborn child, and robbery with a dangerous weapon in the death of Jameisha Wilkes. He agreed to a sentence ranging from 25 to 31 years in prison, according to court records.
On November 13, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon at a home in the 5400 block of Strive Street. When they arrived, they discovered Wilkes outside with a gunshot wound. Paramedics pronounced her dead.
As police investigated, one of Maddox’s relatives identified him as the shooter. The family member told detectives Maddox texted her earlier that day, saying he had “been unfaithful and gotten another woman pregnant.” He identified that woman as Wilkes.
According to local ABC affiliate WSOC, Wilkes was unaware Maddox was married. He allegedly wanted Wilkes to have an abortion.
On the day of the fatal shooting, Maddox approached Wilkes’ door and asked her to come outside before shooting her.
“Desean admitted to the family member that he shot [Wilkes] and took her cellphone from her and destroyed it by driving over it,” according to a police report.
Wilkes’ family told WSOC that she was the mother of a nonverbal, autistic daughter who was inside the home at the time of the shooting.
The girl doesn’t understand why “mommy went outside and never came back in,” Wilkes’ mother told WSOC.
Wilkes’ obituary describes her as a “radiant soul whose love for life was evident in everything she did.”
“Jameisha found happiness in the simple yet meaningful aspects of life. “She enjoyed working on puzzles, listening to music of all genres, and surrounding herself with bright, vibrant colors that matched her warm and lively spirit,” the obituary stated. “Above all, she adored her daughter, Serenity, whom she cherished and loved wholeheartedly. Jameisha’s love and devotion as a mother were unparalleled, and her daughter was the joy of her life.”
