Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields announced Tuesday the arrest of a Vass woman in connection with the October 2024 death of her 2-month-old daughter.
Authorities say 28-year-old Jessica Diane Uppole has been charged with felony involuntary manslaughter and felony child neglect inflicting serious bodily injury following a months-long investigation into the death of her daughter, Gracelyn Uppole.
On October 2, 2024, sheriff’s deputies and emergency medical personnel responded to a 911 call reporting an unresponsive infant at a residence in the 200 block of Sunny Road in Vass. The child was pronounced dead at the scene.
In the months following, investigators conducted an in-depth review of the circumstances surrounding the death, including toxicology reports, forensic evidence, and findings from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. According to authorities, the investigation concluded that Uppole had ingested an impairing substance and placed the child in an unsafe environment, ultimately leading to the infant’s death.
Uppole was taken into custody on April 28 and is being held without bond at the Moore County Detention Center. Her first court appearance is scheduled for May 15 in Moore County District Court.
Information and photo used in this article were contributed by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
