Staff report
Authorities say a drug overdose killed a Woodleaf man whose wife is now charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Odessa Bethanne Dodson, 46, of 2215 Needmore Road, is charged in the death of Charles Edward Dodson, Jr.
Authorities arrested Odessa Dodson late Monday. She remains in the Rowan County jail under $100,000 bond.
According to a Rowan County Sheriff’s Office press release, deputies responded to the Dodsons’ Needmore Road home for a death investigation around 2 p.m. Friday. The deputies met Emergency Medical Service personnel at the home and discovered the deceased man was 42-year-old Charles Dodson.
Preliminary autopsy results indicated Dodson died of a drug overdose.
The Sheriff’s Office said investigators determined Charles Dodson had been given medication by his wife, Odessa Dodson, that had been prescribed for her use. Investigators also learned Odessa and Charles Dodson were scheduled to appear in court in Chatham County on Feb. 11 in a case in which Odessa was accused of assaulting Charles.
The Sheriff’s Office presented its information to the Rowan County District Attorney’s Office and investigator Sam Henline obtained warrants for Odessa Dodson, the press release said.