Mother, Grandmother Charged in Death of Young Child

Asheville -- May 3, 2022: After discovering a little kid murdered in an area hotel room Monday afternoon, Asheville Police Department investigators charged a mother and grandmother with murder and felony child abuse. Around 3:10 p.m. on
May 2, 2022.APD Patrol officers were summoned to the Rodeway Inn and Suites on Crowell Road in west Asheville for a welfare check.

Officers entered the room and discovered a tiny child dead on the floor. Two adult females were also there, and they were apprehended and transferred to the Criminal Investigations Division for questioning without incident. Detectives suspect they had been staying at the motel on and off for quite some time.

According to CID officials, the youngster appeared to be severely emaciated, and the two females were arrested on the following charges:

* Inga Torrence Matthews (02/19/1972), of Gastonia, NC
First Degree Murder
Felony Child Abuse
Concealment of Death
* Chantarica Nasha Matthews (4/16/1993), of Gastonia, NC
First Degree Murder
Felony Child Abuse
Concealment of Death
Both were transported to the Buncombe County Detention Facility for booking, and each has a $95,000 secured bond on the Felony Child Abuse and Concealment of Death charges; no bond on the First Degree Murder charge.
APD detectives are also making contact with other family members, as well as working closely with the Medical Examiner’s Office as they continue their investigation. Asheville Fire Department and Buncombe County EMS also arrived on scene.
If you have any further information you would like to share about this case, please send an anonymous tip by texting TIP2APD to 847411, or use the TIP2APD smartphone app. You can also share information by calling 828-252-1110.

*Editor's Note: A criminal charge is an accusation, by law, a person accused of a crime is innocent until proven in a court of law.

Wnctimes by Marjorie Farrington