Jordan Tackett, a resident of Fayetteville, has long fought to secure sole custody of his two children. His concern grew when they were placed in the home of his ex‑girlfriend, Theresa McNeely, and her partner, James Cook, in Chapel Hill.

Alarming injuries and unsafe conditions

Tackett says the children endured multiple serious injuries while living there. According to a timeline he provided, his daughter cut her hand on an axe in August 2022, suffered a head injury from a potato rake in December 2023, and was taken to the hospital after stepping on a blender blade in October 2024. A court document also confirms that a dog bit his son’s face, leaving lasting scarring.

Investigators later reported the home was covered in animal feces, urine and trash, with no suitable place to sleep, sit or eat. “The home life they had with their mother wasn’t very safe and adequate for what my kids deserved,” Tackett said.

Child welfare agency response

After reporting the conditions to the Orange County Department of Social Services (DSS), Tackett received a letter on February 12 2025 stating his complaint did not meet the statutory definitions of abuse, neglect or dependency. DSS explained that while maltreatment might have occurred, the children were not deemed in immediate danger, and the agency could offer in‑home services instead of removal.

Tackett expressed frustration: “It just doesn’t make sense – the number of injuries, the level of injuries… it wasn’t like a bump, bruise, or broken bone.” He added that he was often left in the dark about his children’s injuries, learning of them months after the fact.

Arrests and custody outcome

In May 2025, an 8‑year‑old escaped the Chapel Hill home, prompting a passerby to call emergency services. The boy reported being denied food, beaten by his mother, and locked in a room without bathroom access. He also described being choked by McNeely and slammed against a wall by Cook. Both adults were arrested on May 22 2025.

Following the arrests, DSS contacted Tackett and instructed him to retrieve his children, months after initially refusing to act. Tackett believes a worse outcome could have occurred had the children remained in the unsafe environment.

Aftermath and support

Since gaining sole custody in October 2025, Tackett has worked to bring his children up to date on health check‑ups and education, noting they were two grades behind. He faces significant legal fees and ongoing expenses for food, health care, therapy, and tutoring. To help cover these costs, his family has launched a GoFundMe campaign.

Attempts to reach McNeely, Cook, and their attorneys for comment have been unsuccessful.

Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.