According to authorities in Gadsden, Alabama, the mother of a one-year-old infant discovered dead in a funeral home has been charged with her murder and is being held without bond.
At approximately 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, a groundskeeper at West Gadsden Funeral Home found the child’s body while cleaning the hearse, according to WVTM-TV. Funeral home director Dantez Robinson told WBRC-TV that staff members were astonished to discover a baby inside the car after initially believing it to be a doll.
With the help of the FBI and other agencies, the Gadsden Police Department began a homicide investigation despite having little to no information to work with. According to a statement from the agency, police also asked for public opinion.
At 1:48 a.m. on Sunday, after twelve hours of tenacious, concerted work, officers booked 29-year-old Terrica Pearl into Etowah County Jail for the murder of her daughter.
Craig Ford, the mayor of the community of 33,086 people, located around 60 miles northeast of Birmingham, remarked that this was a difficult situation for all parties. Although an arrest doesn’t make the pain go away, it does bring this child one step closer to justice.
At a vigil held at the funeral home on Sunday, the baby’s name was disclosed, but authorities did not disclose her identify or the manner of her death. In front of the building, dozens of grieving community members, city officials, and family members gathered to sing and pray for 21-month-old Blessence Pearl.
According to The Anniston Star, Robinson stated that although funeral plans were still pending Monday, they would be free for the family.
