Mother Upgraded to Murder Charge After Baby Found in Pipe

Persia Nelson, the mother of baby Halo Branton, has had her charge upgraded to second-degree murder, depraved indifference to human life, after an autopsy revealed that Halo died of exposure and hypothermia. Nelson allegedly dropped the child into a utility tunnel on the GE campus and left her there to die. The search for Halo involved an Amber Alert and extensive efforts by law enforcement. Nelson has been held on $500,000 bail and her next court appearance is scheduled for March 14.