The Ultimate Betrayal: An Infant’s Unimaginable End

The heart of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, aches with immense sorrow over the life of a three-month-old infant whose short existence ended in a tragedy so profound it defies comprehension. The child’s body was discovered on February 8, 2023, wrapped in a blanket and hidden inside a suitcase in a closet at a residence on Franklin Street. This shocking, horrifying discovery led to the arrest of the mother, Synkel Davis. Though the District Attorney’s office could not pursue homicide charges due to insufficient evidence on the cause of death, the act of concealing the deceased infant remains an unimaginable betrayal of the most sacred trust.

Justice Denied: The Fugitive’s Escape

The community’s shock escalated into outrage when Synkel Davis, 36, after pleading guilty to concealing or failing to report the child’s death and receiving a sentence of 24 months of probation, went on the run. Davis—who already possesses a lengthy criminal history involving theft and drug charges—failed to appear for probation check-ins shortly after her October 2023 sentencing. She has since been classified as a fugitive, having evaded law enforcement for months, leaving a bitter taste of justice denied. The image of a woman convicted in connection with the death of her baby being free and unreachable compounds the raw, communal grief over the infant’s forgotten life.

An Anchor in Accountability: Never Forget the Child

The failure of the system to maintain oversight and the subsequent escape of Synkel Davis underscore the painful need for greater accountability, especially in cases involving the ultimate vulnerability of a child. The focus must remain on the innocent life lost—a child who deserved safety, dignity, and a loving home. Law enforcement is actively searching for Davis, whose address changes and failure to comply with court orders epitomize a disregard for the law. The community of Halifax County demands closure and accountability. May the renewed effort to apprehend Synkel Davis bring a measure of justice to the memory of the infant whose life was so tragically and shockingly concealed.