Adolphus Earl Kimrey II, 32, the boyfriend of Mariah’s mother Kristy, has already been charged with First Degree Murder and Felony Child Abuse Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury/Death in the death of Mariah.
Kimrey reported Mariah missing at around 6:30am on November 27, with the girl’s mother Kristy saying she last saw the girl when she put her to bed at 11pm the previous night.
Related:
Missing NC toddler Mariah Woods, 3, found at bottom of lake – Earl Kimrey, mother’s boyfriend charged

Dead North Carolina girl, Mariah Woods, 3, ‘was sexually abused by her mother’s boyfriend, Earl Kimrey,’ and ‘her mother knew’

‘Records indicate Kristy knowingly cohabited with an abusive thief and drug addict in the same environment as her vulnerable kids, and when her daughter disappeared, […]

In his call to authorities, Kimrey said that Mariah had gotten out of bed around midnight and that he then told her to go back to her room. He also mentioned that he had left the home at one point to go out, but did not lock the door.
On December 2, after five days of searching, baby Mariah’s body was found in a nearby creek.
Kimrey was arrested one day prior and detained on charges including obstruction of justice and secretly disposing of a body to conceal a death.
In an odd twist he was also charged with burglary, larceny and possession of stolen property for taking two dressers valued at $40 from a woman the night Mariah was last seen alive.
In January, he was charged with murder.

Commenting on the investigation, Pender County Sheriff Hans Miller said, ‘The death of a child is always a sobering reminder of how fragile life is. When the community is so deeply affected by such a horrific crime it is sometimes difficult to not allow our emotions to influence the decisions that we make,’ Sheriff Miller observed at the time.
‘However, the best way to honor Mariah is to ensure a fair and thorough investigation, which will lead to a successful prosecution.
‘We must remember that through these moments, together, as a community we can ensure that justice will be delivered for Mariah. We sincerely thank the community for their patience and support through this entire investigation.’

Kristy Woods seen here with boyfriend Kimrey, allegedly was an enabler who was aware he was abusing all her children

Autopsy revealed that toddler Mariah Woods [photo], died of chloroform toxicity. Her mother’s boyfriend has been charged in her death

A memorial set up for Maria Woods

Police said at the time that Mariah’s mother ‘has been cooperative with the investigation and continues to cooperate with the detectives as the investigation continues.’
It was noted however that ‘these additional charges do not mean the investigation is concluded but will continue until all leads and information is thoroughly evaluated.’
There has been no additional arrests since January, but the following month the district attorney announced that he would be seeking the death penalty in the case.
Mariah’s father, Alex Woods, had previously claimed that his daughter was sexually abused, but the autopsy showed no signs to support that allegation.
Kimrey has a lengthy rap sheet, and had been charged with a crime over 20 times before his arrest for Mariah’s murder.