What to Know
When Evangelina Thrift died, her tiny body was covered in insect bites, but that was just one sign of the horrific abuse and neglect little Eva reportedly faced. Her mother, Alivia Thrift, allegedly starved her daughter to death inside their filthy Henderson, Nevada apartment.
Nothing could prepare investigators for the home’s deplorable conditions or what they would soon learn about Eva’s life inside. Thrift, 26, now faces murder charges in her baby girl’s death.
Eva’s body reportedly showed signs of severe neglect.
According to court documents obtained by KLAS, by the time emergency responders arrived at Thrift’s apartment on March 24, 2026, they found Eva “beyond help.” The 14-month-old and her mother allegedly lived in “deplorable” conditions. The apartment reportedly had trash strewn throughout with bugs covering the surfaces. Eva’s body had bites and sores all over it, and her abdomen appeared permanently “sucked in” due to starvation.
Police found vomit on much of Eva’s baby gear.
Police noted finding the toddler’s bassinet and crib “had dried vomit all over it, as did a car seat that was on the ground.” Eva had significant burns on her skin likely caused by neglect.
“This is most consistent due to the location and the appearance with some degree of chemical injury, whether it be laying in feces, urine, vomit, decaying milk, all these substances are caustic and can cause chemical burn-type injury to the skin,” The Clark County medical examiner testified before the grand jury.
Thrift’s half-sister, Robin Yager, shared a sad story.
The woman told the grand jury Thrift reportedly gave birth alone in a room with no witnesses. Thrift allegedly kept Eva away from doctors, fearing they would take custody of the baby, according to Yager.
“I tried to convince her that, you know, her fear was unsubstantiated, why would they try to take her away, you do everything you can for her,” Yager testified. “And she’s like, well, she’s so small. And I said, well, some people are small, that’s not a reason to take her away. And closer to Eva’s death, the more that conversation intensified.”
Per the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Yager testified that Thrift called her to the apartment the day Eva died. She attempted CPR but knew the baby felt stiff, showing signs of rigor.
“I wish I could go back in time and save both of them and get her whatever help she needs, but none of that’s possible,” she told jurors, per the outlet. “I can’t help save Eva from the torture she must have endured and the suffering she went through, and nothing at this point is going to be able to help Alivia face what she needs to face.”
Yager shared a statement on social media.
Yager took to Facebook to share that contrary to speculation, she did not watch Eva die. Instead, she alleged the last time she was with her niece was in January for her first birthday. Had she known the child was suffering, Yager claimed she would have stepped in to help the baby.
“Anyone claiming that I watched Eva deteriorate is spreading false information. If I had known my niece was suffering, I would have done everything within my power to protect her. That knowledge is something I will have to live with for the rest of my life. I will not allow false accusations to distract from what matters most: justice for Eva,” she wrote.
“My focus remains exactly where it belongs—honoring the beautiful little girl she was, supporting the criminal prosecution, and allowing the evidence presented in court to speak for itself.”
Thrift faces charges of child abuse, neglect, or endangerment resulting in substantial bodily harm and murder. Her trial is set for March. She currently resides in the Clark County Detention Center without bond.
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