Court documents reveal that the grandmother of a missing 4-year-old Washington state boy was granted emergency custody of him after expressing concerns about the mother's substance abuse and violent behavior. The boy, Ariel Garcia, was reported missing and later found dead, leading to the arrest of his mother, Janet Garcia, on charges including murder and assault of a child. Police launched a search effort and discovered Ariel's body along an interstate in Pierce County. The investigation continues as authorities seek justice for the young boy.
Dejaune Ludie Anderson, wanted on a murder warrant for almost two years after her 5-year-old son's body was found in a suitcase along an Indiana highway, was arrested in California. The remains of her son, Cairo Jordan, were discovered in a Las Vegas-themed suitcase in a wooded area in April 2022. Another woman, Dawn Coleman, was previously arrested, convicted, and sentenced to 25 years in prison in connection with the case. Anderson was apprehended in Arcadia, California, and will be brought back to Indiana to face charges of murder, neglect of a dependent resulting in death, and obstruction of justice.
The mother of 5-year-old Cairo Ammar Jordan, whose body was found in a suitcase in Indiana nearly two years ago, has been arrested in Los Angeles. Dejaune Ludie Anderson, along with another woman, Dawn Elaine Coleman, has been linked to Cairo's death. An autopsy revealed that Cairo died from an electrolyte imbalance, likely due to gastroenteritis. Coleman admitted to helping Anderson put Cairo's body in a trash bag and then into the suitcase, which was later found by a mushroom hunter in a wooded area.
Persia Nelson, the mother of 10-month-old Halo Branton, has been charged with second-degree manslaughter for allegedly dropping her child down a 10-foot-deep pipe access area at the GE plant, causing the baby's death. Nelson was arraigned and ordered held on $500,000 bail, with the prosecutor citing her as a flight risk. The investigation is ongoing, and an autopsy will be performed on the deceased infant. Nelson's next court appearance is scheduled for March 14.
A 26-year-old mother in Kansas City, Missouri, has been charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child after her 1-month-old baby was found dead with apparent burn wounds. Mariah Thomas allegedly told the infant's grandfather that she mistakenly placed the baby in the oven instead of the crib while putting her down for a nap. If convicted, she could face 10 years to life in prison according to Missouri state law.
A 1-month-old infant in Kansas City, Missouri died after her mother, Mariah Thomas, allegedly placed her in the oven instead of her crib while putting her down for a nap. Thomas has been charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child resulting in death. The baby sustained thermal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.
A 38-year-old woman, Maria Avalos, was arrested for allegedly killing her 4-year-old daughter, Mia Gonzalez, in East Los Angeles. The child was found unresponsive in a vehicle and later pronounced dead at a local hospital. The autopsy report revealed that the cause of death was a combination of strangulation and sharp force. Avalos has been booked on suspicion of murder, and the case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for review.
Kelly Richardson, the mother of an 18-month-old girl who died from fentanyl and methamphetamine toxicity, has been arrested on a murder charge. The toddler, referred to as "Baby W," had a high concentration of fentanyl in her blood. Richardson and the child's father, Derek Vaughn Rayo, had fentanyl and opioids in their system at the time of their daughter's death. The parents waited over 12 hours before contacting the police, and investigators found evidence on electronic devices showing the defendants smoking narcotics near the baby. Rayo has been in custody since August and was served with a homicide warrant.
A Shepherdsville mother, Tiffanie Lucas, has been arrested and charged with two counts of murder after her two children, aged nine and six, were found shot in their home. The children were taken to the hospital but later died from their injuries. The incident has shocked the quiet Bullitt County neighborhood, with neighbors expressing their disbelief and sadness over the tragic loss of the young boys.
A 35-year-old mother was arrested in Albion, Michigan, after stabbing and attempting to drown her 2-year-old daughter. The police responded to a 911 call and found the woman holding the child under the water in the bathtub. The child had two stab wounds to the chest and throat, and the four-year-old boy had cuts. Both children were transported to the hospital and were last known to be in stable condition. The mother may have also ingested cleaning fluid and was taken into custody.
A 35-year-old mother in Albion, Michigan was arrested after allegedly holding her two-year-old daughter underwater in a bathtub. The child had stab wounds to the chest and throat and may have ingested cleaning fluid. A four-year-old boy in the home also had cuts on his back and may have ingested cleaning fluid. Both children are currently stable in the hospital. The mother is in custody and may have also ingested cleaning fluid.
Two girls missing for three years were found safe last week, and their mother is charged. The girls were not enrolled in school while missing, but it seemed like someone had been teaching them. The girls' father was granted custody, but Lee and the girls disappeared. Lee turned herself in and was released on bail. The girls are currently in protective custody, and the investigation remains open as investigators are looking for people who assisted Lee.
