A man charged in the deaths of two young children got an earful from the judge, but not because of what he was charged with.

Police say Matthew Deans caused the crash near Wilmington that killed 2-year-old Dobbs Eddings and his newborn brother, Reed.
        
Deans appeared briefly in court Thursday.

The judge chastised Deans for wearing casual clothes, including a fishing-type shirt and shorts, WSOC-TV reported.

"Why are you going to show up to court dressed like that based on these charges?" the judge said.

A GoFundMe account set up for the children's parents, Gentry and Hadley Eddings, has raised more than $200,000.

The family has seen an outpouring of support from the community.

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Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez