Cumberland County Mother Dies, Teenage Son Charged With First-Degree Murder

Kyle Worledge's mother, Delores, was in a coma for almost a month before passing away Tuesday.

The 17-year-old Cape Fear Valley High School senior was being held in the Cumberland County Jail on $500,000 bond.

Cumberland County investigators found Dolores Worledge, 48, with two gunshots to her head on Aug. 15.

Her son confessed that he tried to kill his mother while she was sleeping.

Kyle Worledge told authorities he dumped the gun in a nearby pond. Investigators said the mother and son had not been getting along.

Taking Delores off life support before her death would have meant equally serious charges for Worledge.

Lt. Sam Pennica of the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office said he has seen a handful of cases like this before.

"It would be a tough decision for whoever has to make it," he said. "Anyone who makes that decision knows what the outcome will be of that as far as the son being charged with first-degree murder versus the attempted first-degree murder."

Several doctors told WRAL that it is standard practice for a family member to make a life support decision in a case like this.

The only thing overriding a family member from making the decision would be a living will.