An Alabama mother is facing a capital murder charge after allegedly killing a tot and hiding her in a Gadsden hearse.
According to NBC 13, Terrica Pearl, 29, is accused of murdering her daughter, identified as 21-month-old Blessence Pearl.
As previously reported by CrimeOnline, police arrested Pearl following the discovery of a child’s body at the West Gadsden Funeral Home located on Forrest Avenue in Gadsden.
The funeral home’s managing director, Dantez O. Robinson, explained that the body of the toddler, initially mistaken for a doll by the staff, was uncovered when the groundskeeper went to reposition the hearse.
NBC 13 reports that Robinson stated that before they moved the hearse, it had been parked Friday night, unlocked, and without a child inside.
“I didn’t lock the car…we haven’t ever had a problem with people going into our cars at the office,” Robinson said on Facebook.
Court documents indicated that Blessence had been strangled with a “thick robe string.”
Pearl is being held without bond at the Etowah County Jail.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: Blessence Pearl/West Gadsden Funeral Home]
