Alabama mom Terica Pearl is facing charges after allegedly strangling her baby. The baby girl was shockingly found in the back of a funeral home’s hearse. As the investigation continues, police have yet to establish a motive, but Pearl is in jail in connection with the alleged slaying. Since the baby’s tragic and unexpected death, people in the community, including other family members, have gathered to honor her memory.
About 11:45 a.m. August 9, 2025, a dead baby girl was found in the back of a hearse at West Gadsden Funeral Home, WBRC reported. Dantez Robinson, the funeral home’s owner, said employees were coming back from another call when they thought they saw a doll in the back of a hearse. It wasn’t until they opened the door that they discovered it was a human baby.
“I got a call from one of my employees. They was getting ready last night we went out on a pickup and this morning we get back,” Robinson told the news outlet. “He was getting ready to do some grounds work, and we get back to found an infant baby inside one of the hearses.“
ABC 33/40 reported that Robinson spoke out on Facebook, explaining that the hearse had been left unlocked the night before. “We haven’t ever had a problem with people going into our cars at the office,” he shared. “A lot of us didn’t know the baby but it’s the heart of our people that loves this innocent child.”
Soon, the baby was identified as Blessance Pearl. The Etowah County Coroner’s Office shared that the toddler was 21 months old, WVTM reported.
According to court documents, Terica Pearl strangled her daughter “using a thick robe string,” per WVTM. In the early hours of August 10, Gadsden police officers arrested the mother. She was taken to the James Hayes Etowah County Detention Center about 1:30 a.m.
“In under 12 hours, the investigation moved from uncertainty to an arrest,” Gadsden Police Lieutenant Dusty Ford explained in a statement shared by WBRC.
“This was a tough case for everybody involved,” Mayor Craig Ford said. “I’m proud of the way our police department went after the truth and got it done. An arrest doesn’t take away the hurt, but it does mean we’re one step closer to justice for this child.”
Terica Pearl is being charged with capital murder under 14 years old. She was being held without bond at the county jail.
Dantez Robinson held a vigil for the community to remember Blessance. “I’ve got four girls of my own, I know how it feels. I’m the one that found her,” he told ABC 33/40. “I couldn’t even work yesterday because that could’ve been one of ours or anyone else’s kids.”
The funeral home will hold a funeral for the toddler free of charge. “The family is very distraught, very hurt,” Robinson said. “Love is what love does. By you coming out and showing your support that is showing much love.”
