Hampton Co. mother searches for closure after case involving death of 4-year-old was dismissed

VARNVILLE, S.C. (WTOC) - A Hampton County mom is grappling with devastating news just when she thought she was getting justice for her son.

Four-year-old Karie Breland died in a hit-and-run crash in Hampton County nearly five years ago.

A suspect faced charges, but the case was dismissed this week due to insufficient evidence.

Breland was killed while riding his bike with his dog along the road with his uncle on Palmetto Avenue in Varnville when a car hit them and drove away.

“I don’t get to hug him,” Mother of Karie Breland, Latrell Davis said. “I don’t get to hold him and tell him Merry Christmas. I don’t get to pick him up from school. I don’t get to do any of this stuff with him anymore.”

All these years later, a red cross with the name Ja’Karie etched in it sits at the site of the crash, surrounded by all the things he loved, from a toy truck to a can of Yoo-hoo.

“Ja’Karie was a four-year-old, loving, and sweet little boy who could tell you anything about space. He also spoke two languages other than English.”

The solicitor’s office told the family that they didn’t have enough evidence to try the case and dismissed it without prejudice.

That means the charges could be brought back if new evidence emerges.

“If I could just wake him up and say, ‘Karie, who did this to you?’ But I can’t do that.”

Since the dismissal, Varnville Police have reopened the case.

If you have any information, you are being asked to come forward.

Davis says it won’t bring back her son or make her forget what happened, but it could serve to bring them some closure.

“I’ll never move on because Karie will always and forever be embedded in my heart, but it won’t hurt so bad anymore. It really won’t hurt as badly anymore.”

Varnville Police Chief Tyrone Smith tells us that when he found out about the dismissal, he found it very upsetting to the family.

He says that his investigators are going to start from scratch in the case and get the justice for Karie that he deserves.

Varnville Police can be reached at 803) 943-2979.