ONSLOW COUNTY, North Carolina -- Fourth Prosecutorial District Attorney Ernie Lee announced Thursday that he intends to declare the first-degree murder case of Mariah Woods as capital and will seek the death penalty against Adolphus Earl Kimrey II.
Initially, Kimrey was charged with lesser crimes in December including concealing a death.
However, in January, he was charged with first-degree murder and felony child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury.
Reports suggest Kimrey used chloroform - a liquid used as a general anesthetic - to kill 3-year-old Mariah Woods before dumping her body Pender County's Shelter Creek.
READ MORE: Mother's boyfriend charged with murder in Mariah Woods' death; chloroform determined cause of death
Authorities said Mariah's mother Kristy has been shown continuous cooperation with the investigation.
No charges have been filed against her.
RELATED: Timeline of events in Mariah Woods' disappearance
----------
* More local news
* Send us a news tip
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Mom's boyfriend faces death penalty in 3-year-old Mariah Woods' death
WTVD

State will seek death penalty for Adolphus Earl Kimrey II (Credit: Onslow County Sheriff's Office)
Copyright © 2021 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.