LAS VEGAS (AP) - A mother of four was arrested in Las Vegas after officers searching for her missing 3-year-old daughter found a child’s body in a duffel bag in a closet in the woman’s apartment, authorities said Friday.
Aisha Yvonne Thomas, 29, was jailed Friday pending an initial court appearance at which she is expected to have a lawyer named to represent her on an open murder charge.
The child’s father, Don Edward Hunt Jr., 30, was arrested Sunday on a California state parole violation by Las Vegas police investigating a domestic violence complaint at the same apartment, according to police and jail records.
Hunt was held at the Clark County jail pending his transfer in custody to California.
The Clark County coroner did not immediately confirm the girl’s identity or say how or when she died.
Police Officer Laura Meltzer said the body matched the description of the child police were looking for late Thursday.
The search began near a busy crossroads about 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) northeast of downtown Las Vegas after Thomas told officers her daughter wandered away as she walked her four children to a nearby grocery store.
Thomas’ three other children have been turned over to child welfare officials, police said.
Jail records showed Thomas also faces multiple warrants for unpaid traffic infractions and separate felony bad check and misdemeanor obstruction charges.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.