Full Notification

                                  ****ADDITIONAL UPDATE****
       Jontae Nichelle Littlejohn has been arrested and served with her indictments.  Littlejohn was taken before a Magistrate and received a $225,000 secured bond.  Again, as a reminder to the public, Law Enforcement has no involvement in setting bonds.


                 John Littlejohn has been arrested and served with his indictments. Littlejohn was taken before a Magistrate and received a $45,500.00 secured bond. As a reminder to the public, Law Enforcement has no involvement in setting bonds.


On January 13, 2023 at approximately 0958hrs a 911 call was received of a house fire at 185 Bostic/Sunshine Hwy Bostic, NC. The fire was called in by a citizen that was traveling Bostic/Sunshine Hwy at the time.
 
Fire Departments, and EMS were dispatched to the scene. While Firemen were fighting the fire, a subject, later identified as John Littlejohn arrived on scene and advised firemen there were children inside. Firemen immediately entered the residence to start a search. Firemen located two children in a back bedroom of the residence. The two children were transported to Cleveland Regional Hospital Emergency Traffic. Despite efforts of First Responders, and Medical Providers at Cleveland Regional, the two children were pronounced dead at Cleveland Regional. The two children were Niya Littlejohn, 3 years old, and her younger brother Nasir Littlejohn, 2 years old.
 
Investigators with the Rutherford County Fire Marshall’s Office, Rutherfordton Fire Marshall, Forest City Fire Marshall, NC State Bureau of Investigation, Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division began an Investigations.
 
According to the Fire Marshall’s Office, it was found that the fire originated in the living room, in the area of the couch. At this time the cause of the fire is undetermined, but is still under investigation.
 
Niya and Nasir were living at the residence with their mother, Jontae Nichelle Littlejohn, and Grandfather, John Randolph Littlejohn. Investigators found that John Littlejohn would take Jontae to work at Zaxby’s in the mornings, and the children were often left at the residence, until John Littlejohn returned. This particular morning was no different.
 
After completion of the Investigation, Investigators consulted with the District Attorney’s Office and the decision was made to seek Indictments for Involuntary Manslaughter, and Felony Child Abuse for the deaths of Niya and Nasir Littlejohn.
 
On January 30^th, 2023 the case was presented to the Grand Jury. The Grand Jury came back with True Bills of Indictment on Jontae Nichelle Littlejohn, and John Randolph Littlejohn for Involuntary Manslaughter, and Felony Child Abuse.