Mother’s Boyfriend Charged as Three-Year-Old Mariah Woods Presumed Dead

Police in North Carolina have arrested a man in connection with the disappearance of three-year-old Mariah Woods, who authorities said Saturday they believe is dead. “At this time, the location of Mariah is unknown,” a statement from the FBI and Onslow County Sheriff’s Office said. “The searches will now shift to a recovery process.” Woods, who went missing from her bedroom five days ago, is presumed dead due to evidence gathered as part of the investigation, the statement said. Earl Kimrey, the live-in boyfriend of Mariah Woods’ mother, Kristy Woods, has been taken into custody and charged with several crimes, including obstruction of justice and concealing a death. An arrest warrant cited by NBC affiliate WRAL alleges that Kimrey “secretly disposed of the dead child’s body” after a death from “unnatural causes.” Woods told police she put her daughter to bed last Sunday and woke up to find her missing. Kimrey is currently being held on a $1 million bond.