Stay up to date with WRAL’s Avantae Deven case news and reporting coverage
In the year since Avantae Deven's arrest for the murder of her two adopted children, North Carolina has seen significant movement towards foster care reform, spurred by the "Broken: Foster Care in North Carolina" documentary.
In March 2024, Fayetteville police went public with the case of a missing child. Blake Deven hadn't been seen in years. Since that time, WRAL has been investigating and highlighting critical failures in North Carolina's foster care system.
Avantae Deven, accused of murdering her two adopted children, is scheduled for a disposition hearing on Thursday morning. She will not make an appearance.
The North Carolina House has unanimously approved the Fostering Care in NC Act, marking a significant step towards reforming the state's foster care system.
Avantae Deven's murder trial is likely a couple years out. Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West is predicting 2027.
Avantae Deven is accused of killing two of her five adopted children.
The proposal aims to tighten procedures and deadlines for investigating reports of abuse and neglect. It would also create rules for identifying and handling conflicts of interest involving social services, employees or their relatives.
After a WRAL documentary exposed systemic failures in North Carolina's foster care system, state lawmakers have proposed legislation to establish a Child and Family Welfare Ombudsman office to provide independent oversight and advocate for children's best interests.
In the wake of WRAL's eye-opening documentary, "Broken: Foster Care in North Carolina," state lawmakers are pledging urgent action to overhaul the troubled foster care system.
WRAL's documentary, "Broken: Foster Care in North Carolina," highlights the tragic case of two children allegedly murdered by their adoptive mother, sparking calls for reform in the state's post-adoption monitoring system.
WRAL's latest documentary "Broken: Foster Care in North Carolina" examines the tragic deaths of Blake and London Deven, highlighting critical failures in the state's foster care system.
WRAL staff
A 911 call in Fayetteville led to the discovery that two adopted children, Blake and London Deven, had been missing for years. The subsequent investigation revealed systemic failures in North Carolina's foster and adoption systems.
The WRAL documentary, "Broken: Foster Care in North Carolina," premiered at 7:30 p.m. ET Thursday.
The adoptive sister who admitted dismembering her brother's body described him as very malnourished before he died.
Cherish Deven described Blake London as malnourished and said she was forced to dismember his body after he died.
Cherish Deven, the adoptive sister of Blake Deven, admitted to dismembering his body after he was abused and starved to death by their adoptive mother, Avantae Deven.
Hear a stunning confession connected to a Fayetteville woman charged with murdering her two adoptive children. After nearly a year of reporting what a young woman is revealing only to WRAL Investigates. Why she's coming forward years later.
Avantae Deven, a Fayetteville mother charged with the murders of two of her adopted children, was a licensed foster and adoptive parent for years, with no prior concerns reported by the agency overseeing her placements.
Chris Lovingood, WRAL anchor/reporter
Steve Slocumb, a North Carolina property owner, described the severe damage left by his former tenant, Avantae Deven, who is now charged with murdering her two adopted children.
