Sheriff Files New Child Abuse, Drug Exposure Charges In Four Oaks Case

FOUR OAKS, N.C. — A Four Oaks mother whose three young children were removed from her home during a narcotics investigation just days before one of the children died is now facing additional criminal charges.

The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday the arrest of Amber Nicole Gibson, 39, on six new charges stemming from the ongoing investigation into conditions inside her home in the 2700 block of Thompson Road.

Gibson is charged with three counts of exposing children to a controlled substance and three counts of misdemeanor child abuse. She was arrested Tuesday night and placed in the Johnston County Detention Center without bond pending her first court appearance.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, detectives allege Gibson left illegal narcotics throughout the residence where her three children had access to the controlled substances. The misdemeanor child abuse charges stem from what deputies described as the unsafe and unsanitary living conditions inside the home.

The new charges follow a July 1 narcotics search warrant executed by the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division and Criminal Investigations Division.

During that search, investigators said they recovered suspected LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a stolen handgun hidden beneath a bed. Deputies also reported finding unsanitary living conditions, prompting the Johnston County Department of Social Services to take emergency custody of the three children.

Three days later, on July 4, one of the children — a 4-year-old boy — died while staying at a grandparent’s home on Juniper Church Road.

Detectives launched a death investigation, and authorities previously said no foul play is suspected. The cause and manner of death have not been released. No additional information about the child’s death was disclosed.

In the days following the child’s death, JoCoReport submitted a series of questions to Johnston County Department of Social Services seeking information about the agency’s involvement after the children were removed from the Thompson Road home. A spokesperson declined to answer the questions, citing state confidentiality laws governing juvenile cases.

Prior to the new charges, Gibson had been charged with possession of a stolen firearm, felony maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for a controlled substance, two counts of felony possession of a controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine, simple possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Court records show she posted a $17,500 secured bond on July 2 and was released from jail before her latest arrest.

The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office said its investigation remains ongoing.