A young girl once thought to be missing has been found dead in a closet inside her mother's Colorado apartment. The disgraced woman could now face charges of murder. Alexus Tanielle Nelson, 27, of Aurora reportedly sent alarming text messages to her mother, Georgia, that prompted the woman to contact police about her granddaughter.
Nelson allegedly lied to police about the location of her daughter, saying she had put her up for adoption. When her story didn't check out, police executed a search warrant of the mother's home, where they reportedly found a young child's remains. The case affected Aurora Police Chief Art Acevedo, who emotionally addressed the media June 1 to announce Nelson's arrest.
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Nelson's mother contacted the Aurora Police Department on May 31.
Acevedo said in a news briefing that the police received a 911 call from Nelson's mother, who lives out of state. She claimed Nelson had sent her concerning text messages and that she wanted to check on her granddaughter's welfare. Police initially interviewed Nelson on Tuesday.
A press release from Aurora police gave insight into the early part of the investigation.
"Officers responded to Nelson's apartment in the 1000 block of South Elkhart Way. Nelson told police she gave her daughter up for adoption but couldn't provide officers with any records. Investigators couldn't independently verify the adoption through state records, prompting Nelson's initial arrest for attempting to influence a public servant," the release reads.
Police searched Nelson's home.
Acevedo said during the press briefing that police executed a search warrant and "Sadly, last night, as you know, our beautiful little girl that you see that little picture of, we believe that we actually found her."
The remains police found were that of a child, and Acevedo said they were badly decomposed and that a positive identification was not possible at that moment.
The scene was somber.
A choked-up Acevedo said he went to Nelson's apartment to aid officers who said they were shocked and saddened by the discovery. He explained that crimes involving children are always difficult for police and the community.
Even though investigators couldn't positively identify the remains, Acevedo believed the body was Nelson's daughter, Maha Li. "We're highly confident this is going to end up being our mission child," he said during the media briefing.
Nelson was already in jail when police found the child's remains.
Because police believed she gave false information to a police officer, Nelson was arrested and put in jail before authorities searched her apartment, Acevedo said during the news briefing. He said that in addition to charges related to lying to police, he expected murder charges to follow.
Law & Crime reported that police filed additional charges Thursday, including child abuse resulting in death, tampering with a deceased human body, and tampering with physical evidence.
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Acevedo praised Nelson's mother and encouraged others to be like her.
The police chief acknowledged it is difficult to turn in someone we love but that it's crucial to keep others safe. Acevedo also said during the news briefing that it is essential to know what is happening with neighbors and those around you and, if something looks suspicious, to contact police.
Acevedo implored the community to look out for each other, particularly innocent children who cannot advocate for themselves. If anyone suspects abuse or neglect, they should contact the police immediately; it could mean the difference between life and death.
Nelson is in the Arapahoe County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond. It was unclear whether she has entered a plea or has obtained an attorney.
If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child) or go to Childhelp.org. The hotline is available 24/7.
