Five-year-old Maha Li Hobbs of Aurora, Colorado was reported missing after her maternal grandmother in Georgia called 911, concerned about text messages from the child's mother, Alexus Tanielle Nelson, 27. When police responded to Nelson's apartment, she falsely claimed to have given the child up for adoption. Investigators could not verify any adoption and arrested Nelson for attempting to influence a public servant. Search warrants were then served on the apartment, where investigators discovered remains believed to be those of the child. Nelson was subsequently arrested on suspicion of child abuse resulting in death, tampering with a deceased human body, and tampering with physical evidence, with additional murder charges expected.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The news article states that the child's biological mother, Alexus Tanielle Nelson, 27, was arrested on suspicion of "Child abuse resulting in death," "Tampering with a deceased human body," and "Tampering with physical evidence." The child's remains were found in Nelson's apartment. Chief Acevedo noted that "additional murder charges will be filed in the case."
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The news article explicitly states that Nelson was arrested on suspicion of "Child abuse resulting in death," "Tampering with a deceased human body," and "Tampering with physical evidence." She was also initially arrested for "attempting to influence a public servant." Acevedo also noted that "additional murder charges will be filed in the case."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
The news article contains several notable details: (1) The maternal grandmother, who lives in Georgia, was the one who alerted police by calling 911 multiple times after receiving concerning text messages from the mother. As Acevedo stated, "Grandma did the right thing and for that I'm grateful." (2) The mother falsely told police she had given the child up for adoption, which investigators could not verify, leading to her initial arrest for "attempting to influence a public servant" — this false statement provided the probable cause needed to obtain search warrants for the apartment where the remains were discovered. (3) The charges include "Tampering with a deceased human body" and "Tampering with physical evidence," suggesting deliberate concealment of the child's death. The chief referenced the condition in which the child was found, calling her a "little angel" found in a disturbing state.
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