Deputies performed welfare check hours before murder suicide

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Just hours before a Pender County mother allegedly shot her teenage son and then killed herself, a Pender County deputy was at the home doing a welfare check.

According to the Pender County Sheriff’s Office, the mother, Jennifer Craig, had supervised visitation.

A social worker had contacted the sheriff’s office with concerns about Craig.

A deputy responded to the home in Willard on Thursday and spoke with everyone who was there, including Craig and her 14-year-old son.

The sheriff’s office says everything appeared fine, so the deputy left.

Capt. James Rowell with the Pender County Sheriff’s Office says the deputy did everything lawfully possible at the time he spoke with members at the residence.

Hours later, a man called 911 to report the shooting.

Craig was pronounced dead at the scene. Her son was taken off life support Saturday.