Elizabethtown man charged in 2-year-old’s drug-related death faces new drug charges
ELIZABETHTOWN, NC (WWAY) — An Elizabethtown man already facing involuntary manslaughter and felony child abuse charges in connection with the drug-related death of his 2-year-old child is facing new drug charges following a Bladen County narcotics investigation.
The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that Eric Mitchell, 35, was among three people charged after deputies executed two search warrants in Elizabethtown on Sept. 11.
The sheriff’s office said the warrants stemmed from two separate narcotics investigations into suspected drug sales in and around Bladen County.
Mitchell was arrested on a warrant for possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance. Court records allege that charge involved 0.6 grams of cocaine and an offense date of June 5.
Mitchell was also charged following the Sept. 11 search with possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance, two counts of felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, maintaining a dwelling for keeping or selling a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The sheriff’s office said Mitchell was taken to the Bladen County Detention Center and given a $125,000 bond.
The latest charges are not Mitchell’s first involving alleged drug activity.
In February 2024, Mitchell and Javonda Rogers, who is also charged in the latest investigation, were among three people arrested after the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office and Elizabethtown Police Department executed a search warrant in the 1000 block of Roland Street.
At the time, authorities said they found significant amounts of suspected fentanyl and cocaine, along with a firearm. An infant was also found near where the suspected drugs were located, according to the sheriff’s office.
Mitchell was charged in that investigation with multiple drug offenses, misdemeanor child abuse and maintaining a dwelling for keeping or selling controlled substances. He received a $105,000 secured bond.
Rogers was also charged with multiple drug offenses and misdemeanor child abuse in connection with the 2024 investigation.
Mitchell later faced additional charges stemming from the 2023 death of his 2-year-old child.
Elizabethtown police previously said detectives began investigating after responding to Bladen County Hospital on Nov. 7, 2023, for a report of an unresponsive toddler.
Police said detectives learned during the investigation that Mitchell was suspected of selling fentanyl and cocaine. Investigators searched the family’s residence and reported finding Mitchell along with quantities of fentanyl and cocaine.
Authorities later determined the child died from the toxic effects of fentanyl and cocaine.
Mitchell was charged with involuntary manslaughter, felony child abuse and drug offenses in connection with the investigation. Court records show the involuntary manslaughter and felony child abuse case remains pending in Bladen County Superior Court.
Mitchell was arrested on those charges in January 2026 and posted a $75,000 secured bond.
Court documents in the newest case state Mitchell was charged with an offense while on pretrial release for a prior offense.
Rogers, 33, of Elizabethtown, now faces new charges of possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance, two counts of felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, maintaining a dwelling for keeping or selling a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was given a $50,000 bond.
Omar Jermaine Mathis, 36, of Elizabethtown, was charged with possession with intent to sell or deliver Schedule II and Schedule VI controlled substances and maintaining a dwelling for keeping or selling controlled substances. He was given an unsecured bond.
The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team conducted the Sept. 11 searches with assistance from the Elizabethtown Police Department.
