Don't you need her? >> No. >> Okay. Your daughter's alive? >> Yeah. >> You're sure? >> Is it a human head or an animal head? >> Yes. No, it's a human head in a suitcase. >> Every child deserves a parent who protects them. But what happens when the people who were supposed to keep them safe are the same ones officers find desperately trying to hide what they've done? >> We found Ashley. >> Where? >> In the restaurant. >> Your daughter's ming. She's dead. She wasn't on the couch. She wasn't on the bed. She's in your restaurant. You're not even crying. I don't want to do that to Ashley, but you can control yourself sometimes. >> These were the moments when cops discovered evil parents trying to hide [music] a body. We begin with the case of a little girl who vanished without a trace, a father with no answers, and a secret buried so deep it would take 2 years and one brave witness to finally drag it into the light. >> My kid was missing 2 years. Like, I'd be the first one to start kicking doors. When's the last time you saw her alive? >> He put the duffel bag in the cooler. >> And what was in the duffel bag at that point? Harmony. >> On January 1st, 2021, police received a call from a woman named Crystal Sori. She hadn't been able to reach her 7-year-old daughter, Harmony, in nearly 2 years. Harmony was supposed to be in the custody of her father, Adam Montgomery. But every attempt to locate Harmony had led nowhere, so investigators went straight to Adam. >> Hey, keep your hands where I can see them. >> What's going on? >> What's your name, my man? >> What? >> Adam. >> Adam, show me your hands. Adam, you have anything on you? >> No. All right, come right over here. >> What's wrong? >> I'm just going to pat you down. Make sure you don't have any weapons. Put your hands on top of your head. Okay. >> On top of your head. >> What's going on, though? >> You sure you don't have anything on you? >> I don't have nothing on me. >> Crazy. I haven't seen you in a long, long time. >> Okay. What's going on? >> We got a couple detectives that are coming down to talk to you. >> Okay. >> For what? >> What's that? >> For what? >> This explainer. People are wondering what harmony is. >> I'm not talking to the police about nothing or >> right now you're being detained. Yes. not under arrest. Okay. >> Any particular reason you don't want to talk to them? >> Oh, wait. Am I under? >> No, you're not. You're not. You don't have any warrant. >> All right. I I got nothing to say. Adam. Adam. Right. I don't Do you remember me from the Elliot Hospital from a while back, man? >> Yeah. I got I got nothing to say. Right. So, hey, man. The only thing we're trying to figure out is where harm is. Okay. Okay. >> So, the concern is that you guys are right. You're not in trouble. Nobody said you're losing your daughter. So, I want to make that clear. >> Where's your daughter? So, we can check on her and make sure that she's your daughter right now. I have nothing to say. >> But that's not what I'm I'm just asking. >> I I have nothing to say. >> So, you don't care how if your daughter's okay or not? >> I do. I I listen. I have nothing to say. Is your daughter >> If I'm under arrest, you guys can arrest me. >> I'm not saying you're under arrest. >> Okay. I have nothing to say that. >> You just don't care how your daughter >> I do. Obviously, I do. My kids about all my kids. Yeah. But other than that, I have nothing. >> I remember you talking to me about it at the Elliot because when you were up there, you don't remember me, John? >> You do? >> At first, Adam refused to talk to the police entirely. Kept asking if he was under arrest. And when the answer didn't give him a way out, he simply shut down. Every attempt to get Adam talking hit a wall. Officers then brought up Harmony's safety directly, hoping he'd show even a hint of concern for his own daughter. But unfortunately, he didn't. >> She's not supposed to be in mom's custody, right? >> Can't be in mom's custody. >> She's not in mom's custody. >> And she's not accusing you of doing anything wrong, but she's worried about her daughter. So, how you guys work that out in court is up to you guys. But like I said, you have custody of her. You didn't do anything wrong cuz you have custody of her. So, I just need to know that she's okay. She's okay. I can say, "Hey, DCYF, she's fine. Like, we know where she is. We check on her. Cool." Like, that's the end of it. And I don't have to bother anymore. You and your girl can go on your way as long as I know where she is and she's safe. That's all I really care about. >> I I have nothing to say. Like, that's it. If you tell me she's with family or she's with like my mom, my dad, she's down in Florida, like I all I need to know is that and I'll You're on your way, man. I just need to know she's okay. I'm not saying I'm going to take her and bring her to your ex. I'm not saying that. >> I just want to make sure she's okay. I promise you that. I know. All right. Well, like I will shake your hand and tell you that man to man that that is what I'm trying to do is make sure your daughter's okay. I know your other kids are okay cuz I I was over talking to Kayla. >> Yeah, I know. >> And your kid your kids are okay, man. >> I know they are. >> They're running around like wild animals, but >> they're okay. But like but like Harmony, I I don't know where she is. Mom's concerned. DCF is concerned. If you can get DCY off your back, why wouldn't you want to do that? Like, do you want DCF trying to track you down? >> I mean, I'll I'll deal with DCF, man. Like, I don't. >> But they're going to ask you the same thing. Do you want to keep dealing with them? >> Whatever. >> I know you want to go, but I I just want to figure out where your daughter is. Why is that such a hard thing for you? >> So, can we What if we're going? We're going. Like, if not, I have nothing else to say [laughter] to them. And say you're in the restaurant. All right. So, I have nothing else to say. >> So, you don't want to tell us where your daughter's at? >> I have nothing else to say, John. >> That's it. >> Yes or no thing? You don't want to tell us where your daughter's at? >> I have nothing else to say, John. >> I'm under arrest. I'm under arrest. I'd like to go. >> Just Just from our perspective, my man, it just seems a little strange that you don't like you don't want to tell us where she is. >> All right. I just I got nothing else to say to you guys, man. Officers told Adam they had already spoken to his family, his brother, his uncle, his grandmother, all of them down in Florida, and that none of them had seen Harmony either, which only deepened the concern that was already sitting heavily on everyone at that scene. >> Don't she? >> Okay. So, she's alive. >> What? >> Your daughter's alive? >> Yeah. >> You're sure? >> I'm positive. You >> You're like, swear on your life. >> I swear on my life. When's the last time you saw her alive? >> You know that she's fine. Like, you can assure me that she's alive. >> I know she's fine. >> I All right, look. I have nothing else to say, guys. I really don't. I have nothing else to say to you guys. >> But you can tell me like, D, you can look me right in the eye and tell me that she's alive. >> She's alive. >> You know for a fact. >> I have nothing else to say. Okay. >> And when's the last time you saw her alive? >> All right. I have nothing else to say. >> But Adam, without question, you see where our concern is at. You get what I'm saying? >> Nobody. Dude, if nobody has seen her in like two years, they're saying like alive. Like I talked to your family. Nobody's even seen her either. Your family. I know they're all down in Florida. They're concerned too, man. Like I'm I talked to like your brother, talked to your uncle, grandma. We talked to a lot of people, man. I'm not around with this. Like all right. So, like you understand like people stopped you like they had us come out from the office like all right I need to know that you saw your daughter alive recently. >> Did you see her? Have you seen what's happened recently? Why not? >> You her dad a lot of kids, right? >> Yeah. So why did you see haven't been around yet, man? I've been in pain. >> For the next 20 minutes, detectives worked through every angle they had available to them. Adam now claimed he hadn't seen Harmony in about 2 years, and that she was supposed to be with Crystal. But just moments earlier, he had told those same officers that he knew for a fact she was alive, that she was safe. That contradiction sat right there in the open, and officers made sure he knew they had caught it. >> So, she's supposed to be the crystal. >> Yeah. >> So, if she's supposed to be the crystal, >> help me out. If Crystal screwed up, I need to know that. >> I don't I don't I see I I don't know. I can't say nothing else. I have no idea. And you got the way you guys rolled up here on me. No, >> you dude. You have a past. Okay. >> Okay. Like I'm not I'm not judging you cuz I've met you before. >> But I've been out of this couple for years, >> right? But other people don't know that. >> Okay. >> Like I told you, man, I I didn't know you, you know? I've never met you before. >> Look, I got I got something else to say, man. >> But if she's supposed to be with Crystal, I need some ideas of like what Crystal did. You telling me that you didn't You're telling me she's fine. That's what you told me. Y >> Okay. You said that you've seen her somewhat recently. I I guess you know that she's not. I just I got nothing else to say, man. Are we going Am I under arrest? >> Dude, how many times you going to ask that? >> Well, come on, John. Cuz I like I want to go go talk to Crystal. >> I did talk to her. Go talk to her again. >> You know what I mean? Like, dude, if somebody if somebody said I haven't seen a kid in two years, would you would you understand why I would be concerned? >> Of course I would. Absolutely. I would. >> But but after [laughter] after that, I don't I don't know what to say after that though. I But if you if you know she's alive and you see her recently or like sometime recently, like maybe not like in the last month or two, but dude, I just want to know that she's okay, man. Cuz like I'm I didn't sleep at all last night knowing that like I could have a kid that's like dead. Go talk to Crystal. >> Why would Crystal know where she's at and not tell me that? Why would she blame you? Well, not blame you, but like say you're supposed to play. Why would you say that? >> To me, it just isn't me. >> I don't I I don't know. I know. I know. I lost my house >> a few years ago. Which house? On Guilford Street. Okay. All right. >> So, that's paperwork that's saying you got to give up custody of your kid. >> Harmony. >> No, just being served it. So, you got to you're going to have to produce uh where all that, you [clears throat] know, what's where your daughter's at. Uh, >> we're going to be taking your phone. >> It's not my phone. >> Okay. But it's ours now. So, >> um, you know how to get a hold of me if you decide you want to come down and have a conversation with me. >> Yeah. >> Um, but I think you know you need to do the right thing and kind of have more of a conversation with me. So, we're going to figure this out one way or another. It's not going away. It's going to get really big real quick and uh it's not going to be good if we get on the wrong side of it. You know what I mean? So, I've gone down this road before. >> Yep. >> You know how to get a hold of me, right? >> You're free to go. >> Without enough to hold him that night, detectives had no choice but to let him go. But 4 days later, on January 4th, 2022, Adam was arrested on a 2019 assault charge [music] that should have resulted in his arrest years earlier. And detectives used the opportunity to sit him down and try one more time to get something useful out of him. >> For what? For what reason? >> I'll get that to you in a second. >> Do I check your pockets? >> No, I have money. >> Just so you know, uh because you're under arrest [snorts] right now, I have to read you this stuff or you have to read it to me. Um again, Detective Riley, Detective Don Levy, it's uh January 4th, 2022. [snorts] It's 8:55 p.m. >> Are you okay? >> No, I'm not okay. >> Okay. What's What's okay? >> Nothing. What's up? >> All right. Um, so I'm just going to ask you some basic questions. You said you can read and write English, correct? >> All right. Let's talk about why we're here to talk. [snorts] >> Tell me what you want to say. >> Tell me what you know. >> I don't know nothing. >> Well, what was our conversation about the other day? You said you had a couple questions you wanted to ask me. You asked me questions. >> Well, what was our conversation about the other day? Remember we met? I mean, you remember that was only what, a few days ago, right? [snorts] We had a lot of uh worried people and scared people right now in the community. I know you're worried about the well-being of your daughter and I kind of want to get ahead of this because I don't want you to be painted as a monster. >> Well, that's what you guys are already doing. >> I am. >> No, we're not. >> Oh, yeah. You are. >> How's Can you explain that? [snorts] >> That's what you guys are already trying to do, man. >> But you understand this whole thing is getting a little out of hand. Would you agree? >> Of course. But >> so that's why this just the way you guys are going about it. Who? And again, >> about you specifically, but yeah. Nobody comes out there like that for a seconddegree assault charge. Nobody. Been arrested for worse charges. They don't come out and throw flashbangs at my girlfriend's car and ram us into the guardrail. They don't do that for a second degree assault charge. >> Again, you understand what the charges are, right? >> Second degree assault, right? >> Yep. >> Okay. >> There's also an endangering the welfare charge. >> Okay. and uh interference with custody. >> Okay. So >> So how did I interfere with custody? >> So that paperwork that we served you the other day, you remember that? >> Okay. >> When they were in the alleyway, you remember outside of on Lake Cab. >> Yeah. >> There's paperwork that you have to comply with. You understand that, right? [snorts] >> We had that conversation, did we not? >> Right. So that's that's what that's all about. >> So secondary assault charge, what is this referring to? Well, that's what we want to talk to you about. >> Explain to me why if I'm being charged with a what? Why charge with a boy? >> Well, your daughter had some injuries, but >> that that you know about when you lived on Guilford Street. >> No, I do not. >> What are you referring to? >> Well, you were there. I wasn't. Right. >> What are you referring to? >> I'm referring to her having some good marks. >> What are you referring to? >> Marks that were left on her by you. >> Absolutely. No, I have nothing else to say. >> He didn't give them anything. Detectives told him the reward for finding Harmony had climbed to $40,000, then eventually to $100,000 with people calling in tips from all over the country. And Adam sat there and absorbed all of it without a single visible reaction. >> Do you know that the reward is about $40,000 to find where your daughter is right now? >> Okay. >> When when you start throwing money around like that, people come out of the woodwork that you would never expect to do. >> Okay. So, like I said when I talked to you a few days ago, can I have a little cigarette? >> Sure. I kind of told you this thing was going to get a lot bigger. >> That's right. >> And we wanted to get ahead of it, >> but you're sitting there telling me that right off the rip that there was something wrong with my daughter because of me. No, that's >> okay. So if your daughter had marks on her at at some point when you looked over there as >> how would you explain those? >> How would you get those marks? >> Well, I would love to know when that marks were there because DCYF came to my house multiple times. >> Okay. And we know we know that they came in, >> right? And and closed the case. [music] >> Okay. >> If there was significant marks like you're referring to, I believe they would have flagged something at that point and they would have said something. They wouldn't have came there and seen that. The kids were well taken care of. All the kids loved being at the house with me. >> When detectives brought up a specific mark found on Harmony's face days earlier before she went missing, he waved it off. Called the witness accounts hearsay, a game of telephone. Detectives made one final urgent attempt to get him to account for his daughter's life. He stayed cold. >> Your daughter had a mark on her face that people, multiple people have told us was inflicted by you. multiple people that weren't even living with us at the time. >> Well, there was enough people that had spoken about it. [snorts] >> Yeah. >> People share knowledge of what they know. >> So, so somebody you telling him and then he tells you and then he tells you. So, something that just gets passed down the line. >> It's Yeah. We're not talk I'm not talking about like a a game of telephone here. I'm saying that people say a story and then the details kind of fill themselves in. Like corroborate. Do you know what the word corroborate means? >> Of course I do. >> Okay. You don't recall your daughter ever having a mark on her face? >> The reason DCF came out to visit you guys? You don't recall that? Why did DCF come out and start visiting you guys? What was the allegation? >> If I remember correctly, it was because of um I believe at the time, I could be wrong. I I believe it had something to do with my uncle saying I was using and I wasn't. DCYF showed up and the police showed up because they said that we were unfit to have the children at the house because there was no electricity in the house. >> Okay. But we had a generator running. We had a fridge hooked up to it. There's food in the fridge. Everything was fine. The police showed up, seeing that the kids was fine. There was nothing wrong with them. The DCYF showed up and they and they left. All right. They're like, "All right, I I I you know what, man? Like, I don't even want to talk anymore. Like, this is just beating around the bush, man. It just seems a little too silly to me." Right now, all I'm trying to do is help your daughter. I want to bring her home, and I can't do that without your help, [snorts] dude. I can't do that without your help. Help. Hey, can you look at me? Help me, please. All that's all I'm asking for. I can't sleep until I know [snorts] that she's okay. And I know that you know where she is or what happened to her, but I can't do it without your help. And if you don't want to look like this animal, cuz I don't think you are. Not that I don't think you are. I know you aren't. But I can only do so much for you, man. >> I know. >> I'm I'm begging you to help me because [snorts] I'm as much as you're hurting inside, I'm also hurting inside. And I don't know how you can sleep at night cuz I'm sure it's eating the out of you. Am I wrong? >> No. No. It's eating me up. I know. I'm not seeing my wife. I'm not seeing my kids. You guys are just playing games. Like this is just >> Dude, but I'm not trying We're not trying to play games again. That's it, guys. >> Can you make me a promise? Like, man, to man, can you tell me that she's alive? >> You're going to play the same word games that you played with me the other day. >> No, it's not word games. >> I got nothing. >> We want to know. [snorts] >> This isn't going to This isn't going to go anywhere. Like, this isn't going to stop. So, you know, >> I know it's not. >> So, >> either get on the bus now or get run over. >> I got nothing else to say >> soon. and Kayla Montgomery, Adam's estranged wife, began to cooperate and everything changed. What Kayla described was devastating. On December 7th, 2019, Adam struck 5-year-old Harmony in the head with a closed fist. A single strike that ended her life. >> I asked to go to Burger King. >> You asked to go to Burger King? >> Yes. >> And so, at some point, did he begin driving the vehicle? >> Yes. >> Was that before or after he repeatedly struck Harmony? >> After. What was Harmony doing at that point when you started driving the vehicle? >> She was crying a lot. >> She was crying a lot. [snorts] >> Yeah. And she was making a weird noise. >> Was she saying anything? >> No. Adam Adam was getting really angry from Ar from Harmony [snorts] um peeing in the car and he repetitively kept punching her um on the way to Burger King and there were a couple red lights and when we were at red lights he would like go over the driver's seat like in between the passenger seat and he was just punching her repetitively in the head. >> Was Harmony still under the blanket when you arrived at Colonial Village? >> Yes. >> And that moaning that you mentioned, that weird noise that she was making, was she still making it? Why didn't you check on her? >> Cuz I was scared. >> When you arrived at the Colonial Village parking lot, when you arrived back there, what what did you and the defendant do? We got and got high. >> In the immediate aftermath, Harmony's body was placed in a duffel bag and left in a snowbank. From there, she was moved into a cooler which sat in the hallway of his mother-in-law's apartment. >> Put her put the bag in the snow bank so that he wouldn't see it. >> Where was the snowbank that you put? And sorry, let me clarify. Who put her in a snowbank? >> Adam. >> Where was that snowbank that he put her in? in the in the basement from the parking lot. There was a cooler in the hall walkway um that the residents used to get in and out of the building and it was on my mom's floor level um in the hallway. And he put the cooler in I mean he put the duffel bag in the cooler. >> And what was in the duffel bag at that point? >> Harmony. So he removed her from the trash and he put her in this cooler. >> Yes. Adam put her in the ceiling in the vent of the room that we stayed in. >> At the time you were living at the family's [music] and transition shelter. Was there anything going on with Harley's body? >> You could smell a horrible smell that was coming through the vents. In the end, Adam was found guilty on five counts, seconddegree murder, and he was sentenced to a minimum of 56 [music] years in prison. Next, we move to a case where two suitcases left in the woods near a neighborhood school would lead investigators to one of the most disturbing discoveries they had ever encountered. >> It's a suitcase. >> It's a suitcase. I've been walking past it for about a week now cuz I take my dog. I stay right here. >> I can't. It's attached. It's just like full in the fetal position. On March 2nd, 2026, it started with a witness who had noticed a suitcase sitting in the same spot for about a week. He had ignored the smell at first, but eventually something made him stop and look closer. What he found inside made that decision impossible to forget. An officer located the suitcase in a wooded area and called for backup before touching anything. >> It's a suitcase. >> It's a suitcase. I've been walking past it for about a week now cuz I take my dog. I stay right here. >> I take my dog. I usually walk her through there and then come around here. Okay. And for the last week, she had been st it was like a mound of dirt. She been stopped and sniffing like a little too long. >> Okay. >> And today I was like, "Well, I'm going to take I hope it's not what I'm >> right." >> And I It was halfway buried. It's about this thick. It's about halfway buried. I pulled it up, unzipped it. I couldn't really see. And I opened it up and head >> buried under the dirt. It was >> halfway. You can see a little part of it sticking out. >> And you said you noticed it for about a week already. >> Yeah. It's been sitting over there like somebody buried it or tried to bury it. >> And like I said, I walk my dog over there and she keeps stopping. She sniff sniff a little too long. You know, she sniffed stuff. >> And I'm like, >> I don't know what that is. I'm not going to with it. >> And I today I was just like, let me see what the that Billy is. >> It's back there up so it's kind of standing up and stinks like Okay, you're right here. >> I got you. Hey, are you uh still inside the district? >> Okay. I was going to have you grab my flashlight, but that's all right. Um when you get up here, if you go down 162, um like I went upstairs 162, you can just pull in this parking lot for this >> and uh you'll see me back here. So, I haven't even I haven't opened it yet. Um the dude I talked to the caller, he said that >> there was this um suitcase partially like buried in the ground that he said he's been noticing for like a week and his dog keeps trying to uh you know get to it. So he said that he pulled it out today and uh to see what was in there cuz it was kind of heavy and he noticed like a head and hurry you know he just left it and called the police. >> So I'll just wait till you guys get here before I open it. All right. >> Yeah. Just come down um towards like Midland and I mean soon as you get to like the last drive for the school, you'll just pull in there. I'm in the back. All right. When they opened the suitcase, there was no preparation for what was inside. Remains of a young child. And then 25 ft away, a second suitcase. Someone had done this twice and then walked [music] away. Detectives began moving through the neighborhood quietly until one resident called dispatch, agitated and demanding to know why police were at her door. That call did not go unnoticed. >> I ain't open it yet. I left my flashlight. Oh, you got a flashlight. We're going to have to look and see. I mean, it's like partially partially buried. He said it was sticking out for like a week. He finally decided to uh open it up. I just want to see you flash a light on. I just want to see if there's any or anything on it. No. >> Yeah. You on? >> Yeah. I forgot. Ah! Oh, you uh bring it closer. I can't see. >> It look like a foot. >> Yeah. No. >> Oh, yeah. It is look like a kid. >> Yeah, like >> I can't It's attached. It's just like fold in the fetal position. >> You sleep? >> No. Frozen. >> That's when one resident called dispatch frustrated, [music] agitated, demanding to know why police were showing up at her door and how they had her personal information. The dispatcher tried to explain the protocol calmly. She stayed on the line, defensive, pushing back on every answer she was given. That call did not go unnoticed. >> Hey, how you doing? I'm calling because uh the police was just out my >> What's the address? >> Yeah, they >> You said the police were just at your house. >> Yeah, girl. Talking about a child wellness check. >> Okay. Why do you need police now? Girl, I was calling to ask why they're knocking on my door talking about checking on my kids. So, you want to speak to the officer about that? Are they still there? >> No, no, no, no, no. I I'm not at home. I'm being I'm getting called. >> Okay. Is there anybody who who's home now with that? What did they say to you? >> Telling to talk to the police. Are the police still there? >> Everybody's checking. Oh, they said he said that they they was they was claiming to be knocking on everybody's door to check on everybody's kids in the neighborhood. Y'all doing that? >> So, are the police there talking about Well, they gone now. >> Okay. So, tell to get the officers back and then maybe she can hand them the phone. >> The police is not They're not there though. That's That's what I'm calling for to figure out what's going on. Can she still see the police? >> What is going There's no other way for me to find out the information. >> So, the police are there. That's the thing. Like, they have all the information. >> Nobody said the police was there. Yeah. I'm calling the non police off the I'm not calling 911. I'm calling to find out why they're knocking on the door. He also mentioned that they knew my name already, knew I had five kids. If y'all doing a wellness check on every house on the street, how do you know my information? How many kids I have? >> That's what I'm saying. So the officers that there that is there, they have all the information that you need. >> So I'm saying, >> can you let them know that they're not let her know that you're >> Hello. >> Yes. >> Yeah. My name is >> Sir, do you still see the officers? >> No. No, they're gone. They were here earlier and um we were trying to figure out what was going on with that. Why were they stopping by? >> So, typically what you want to do is when the officer is there, you ask them what they want cuz they can give you they really at the store lying about knocking on everybody else's door, checking on their kids. They knew my name. They knew how many kids I had for my information. >> They said they had a 440 number for me. How do they have all that information if they're doing a Well, >> hello. >> Okay, I think that's better. What's your name? put her number in um >> Are you talking to me or somebody else? >> I'm talking to you. What's your name, ma'am? >> They had my number and they was they said they had a 440 number for me and everything. >> So, technically I I understand your frustration, but when we say >> it's not a frustration, it's just I feel like they knocked on the door lining. Investigators finalized their preparations and executed a search warrant at the home of their primary suspect, Aaliyah Henderson. >> About what they were really at my door for because but not like they went. You're speaking over me. >> Now, I called you guys to give you the information that I know. You have to have that. >> You have to have a conversation. You're speaking over me. >> Oh my god. >> Okay. Can I speak for the officers? >> The officers were at your house. This is just Let me say this, okay? When the police are out, you want to ask them all the questions that you have because this is dispatch. Once an off once an officer is out there, it's beyond us. So, we don't know exactly everything that goes on once it's past being dispatched. Does that make sense? >> Okay. There is there a way for me to get the information? Where where are you now? >> I have court this morning. I have things that I am doing. I am not at home. >> Okay. So, what's your address? We can send an officer back out there so you can ask whatever question. >> Ma'am, I just saying I'm on my way to court. Why would you send an officer to my house? >> Is it Is at your house? >> Ma'am, listen. >> Is anybody home that can speak to police? >> Yeah. >> I just told you what they said to the person that was wrong. >> Okay. So, what I'm saying is we can send someone back out there if you have questions. >> Okay. Ma'am, I'm not at home though. Is there another way? Can we move on, please? Is there another way for me to find out information about why they at my house? >> You want to know why the police are at your house? Is there >> Do I have to come down there? >> Hold on. Is there somebody at your house that can speak to police? >> No. Listen, nobody's at our house. >> NOBODY'S ASKING FOR NOBODY TO PULL UP. >> Officers secured the residence and took Aliyah into custody. Inside, they also found another child who was immediately placed into the care of social services. >> Come on down. Hands up. Come down now. Hands up. >> Anybody else? >> Got her. >> Hold on one second. I'm going to wait for the car to pull in so you don't have to >> second. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. You're good. I got you. In the end, Aaliyah faced a 22count indictment. She entered a not-uilty plea. The court set her bond at $2 million. [music] Next, we have a case where officers knocked on a door expecting a routine visit and walked into something that would haunt them long after they left that house. [music] >> Did he sleep? >> Yes, he had to cuz he wasn't breathing. >> To the doctor. >> I was scared. I was scared that they was going to take my mother. >> You said that your son suffered from uh numerous medical. >> On June 24th, 2022, officers arrived at Azerad France's home after concerns were raised about her 3-year-old son, Chase [music] Allen. When officers asked about Chay's whereabouts, Azard had an answer ready. It came too quickly, but the more investigators pushed, the more that answer began to unravel. >> And you can explain to me everything that that took place in and you know the whole story. Okay. Um, so let's start with what happened tonight, okay? Like how it all began. >> Um, I was laying down watching TV and I saw the flashlights like in the window. >> What time do you think that was? >> I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I end up at the town. >> Well, how long do you think it's been since like that point to right now? >> A little bit over an hour. >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> And I opened the door and I said yes. And they said they were here to do wellbeing check. You said so you opened the door and he saw it was the police. >> Okay. >> And he said they're heard there will be a check and I said okay for what? >> Chase Allen my son >> for Chase Allen. >> My son. >> Okay. >> And they asked me where was he and Okay. I did a lot. I said he was with someone with He wasn't >> Who did you say he was with? >> A lady. A friend. >> A friend. Do you remember the name you told them? >> Miss Robertson. >> Miss Robinson. >> Okay. Is there such a person or you just made that up? >> I just made that up. >> Okay. So they they didn't believe you or >> I guess not cuz they came back. >> Oh, so they left. So you told them So you told them he was with Mrs. Robinson. >> And how long before they came back? >> Um like 10 20 minutes. >> Okay. So when they came back, so then what happened? >> They said they needed to check the house >> and make sure he wasn't there. >> Yeah. So that's when I opened the door and said, "Okay, I confess my >> You said I confessed?" >> Yes. I said he's in the basement in the refrigerator. You said he's in the basement in the refrigerator. >> I did not beat my son. I didn't. He was militious. He >> Okay, let's hold on. We'll get there. So, they handcuffed you and they took you under custody and put you in the back of the police car. >> Yes. >> And then they brought you down here. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, so you said you didn't beat your son? >> No, I didn't. >> So, can you tell me how he >> Okay. He passed. >> He wasn't eating. Okay. He he blind and he's medical issue. So he >> he's blind and what else? >> Um he like wouldn't eat or anything like he needed special attention and Okay. So the I woke I tried to wake him up that morning and he didn't wake up. He wasn't breathing or anything. So I laid I laid him on the hallway floor and I said I thought to myself I said what am I going to do? I picked up my phone and I was spending call but I I was scared so I just took a news. >> So he How long ago was that? >> The end of March. >> The end of March. >> The end of March. >> Yeah. [music] >> So you're saying that you woke up one morning and he was already >> Yes. >> Chase had been sleeping alone while her other children stayed in her room. She described finding him cold and watching him fall back down. She placed his body in a laundry bag and put him inside a large vintage refrigerator. She didn't check on him again until recently. >> Asleep? >> Yes, he had to cuz he wasn't breathing. I was about to wake him up. I fig he sleep >> and alone with the kids >> in a in a bed by himself or >> Yes, the kids was in my room and he was alone >> by himself. >> Yep. >> And he's how old? >> Three. >> And when you say he wasn't eating, were you trying to feed him? >> Yes, I was. I went and bought the um powder from GNC, the weight powder, >> the protein powder >> and I brought the insured. I did everything I could. He wasn't eating. And I did I >> They were trying to take him to the doctor. >> I was scared. I was scared that they was going to take my other kids. I was so scared. >> So when he when How long had he not been eating? >> Um couple weeks. >> And you never And you never took him to the doctor or anything to try to figure out what was going on >> cuz you were afraid they were going to take your other kids? >> Yes. But if it's a >> protein was no nutrition, >> right? But if it's not if it's a medical condition, >> I should have to take you did the right thing. >> But okay, so at the end of March, you're saying you woke up one morning? >> Mhm. Cuz I made the kid breakfast and I went in there to get him up and I gave him some water. He fell back down. So I'm like, he's not breathing. >> What do you mean he fell back? So he was up? >> No, he wasn't up. Like I set him up, but he wasn't responding. >> Was he cold? I mean, >> yeah, he was. I didn't I did not meet I didn't touch him or anything. I hit that in my belly. I didn't >> You were able to move him around? >> Yes. I was scared. I I didn't I didn't know who to call. >> So he You woke him up. You sat him up. You tried to wake him up. He wasn't awake. >> No. >> I felt his heart. He wasn't breathing. >> So you tried to sit him up. He fell back down. >> Yes. >> You laid him in the hallway. >> Mhm. And then you decided you were going to call, but you were scared that they would take your other kids. >> Yes. My f I dial 911 on my phone, but I didn't it didn't know them. >> So you put them in the basement. >> Yes. >> So explain to me at that point what like exactly what you did. >> Okay. I found one of the pad bags and I put them in >> like a laundry bag. >> Yep. And then I put them I walked them downstairs putting in the basement one. But I was >> So you put them in the bag first? >> Yes. >> Upstairs. >> Uh-huh. in the hallway. >> You put them in the bag. Then you carried the bag down into the basement. >> Yes. >> And you have a refrigerator in the basement. >> Uhhuh. A freezer. >> Is it a like a like a >> It's It was there when I moved there. It's >> Well, describe it to me. Is it Does it look like a refrigerator or does it look like one of those like deep freezers that's kind of like this big? >> No, it's a old back in the day refrigerator. Like it isn't It doesn't have a freezer. Just >> or just one big refrigerator. >> Yeah. >> Like one big like a door. >> Yeah. >> As questioning continued, investigators pressed her on who else had been in the home. She mentioned the children's father sleeping in his [music] car. Azerati maintained he had no involvement. Chase's biological father was incarcerated. With no one else to point to and nowhere left to hide, the full picture of what Chase's final months looked like was beginning to take shape. Who all was home when that happened? >> Chase made me cage. >> Nobody else lives there. No, none of your baby daddies, no boyfriend. [music] They're not going to find cuz you know they're searching the house right now. So there's no male clothing or somebody's stuff there that lives there. He He wasn't there at the time. >> Who's he? >> My baby D. >> What is it? >> Um I lied and told him he was with Cuz he did ask and I told him he was with a lady, but he don't know he was in the basement. >> Where is he right now? >> At work, I think. >> Where's he work at? >> Last >> at night? They don't cut grass at night. >> Well, he was at work early. I'm sorry. I don't know where he is now. >> What's his phone number? He sleeps in the driveway. >> He doesn't sleep in the house. >> No. >> No, he doesn't. Cuz me and him are not together. But he asked to just stay there until he get together. >> But his stuff's in the house. >> Yep. >> What kind of car does he drive? >> Um, a black Tahoe. >> Black Tahoe. >> Mhm. >> Do you know what year? >> No, I'm not sure. >> Is it newer, older? >> Older. You know, it's something happened and you're trying to cover up for him. You need to think about your other kids. >> No. >> And you need to be there for them. >> No, you >> So if he did something to that child, he >> and you're trying to cover up for him, you should just you need to tell me. >> No, I swear on my kids. I swear. >> So you tell me for the last >> Yes. 4 months. >> You can call my dad too cuz he me and him got into it and my dad made him move out and ever since then he been sleeping in the driveway. I understand that he's been sleeping in the driveway, but what I'm saying is so for 4 months he didn't ask. >> Yes, he asked and >> he never didn't I mean 4 months is a long time for a kid to be away >> and for him not to wonder where this child is. He's not the father of that child. >> No, he was wondering where he was. He kept asking me and I kept lying and saying he was with someone. >> So >> he kept saying that that didn't sound right to him. Where's uh Chase? Where's Chase's dad? >> Incarcerated. He's >> in jail. None of uh his family members ever came and visited the child or anything like that. Grandma, nothing. >> No. >> Okay. >> Investigators formally consolidated her statement. The medical history, the death, the months she spent hiding his body while life continued upstairs. France was informed that other investigators would be speaking with her as the investigation continued. >> Well, the next question is going to be basically the bulk of your story here. Can you tell me what happened to your son, Chase? Okay. Okay. >> So, I'm going to write down what you're what you told me >> and then you can review it >> and then we can ask some other questions if we need to clarify anything. Okay. >> So, um you said that your son suffered from uh numerous medical stopped eating. >> Yes. for about close to 3 weeks and then you said you woke up. You don't do you don't remember the exact date that it was the end of March. >> Yes. >> You discovered that he was deceased. >> Mhm. >> From you didn't call 911. You were scared that they were going to take your other kids away. >> Yes. >> So you put him in a laundry bag. >> Yes. >> And took him into the basement and placed him into the freezer. >> Yes. and he's been there ever since. >> Yes. >> Then today, the police showed up checking on his whereabouts. >> Yes. >> And when they said they needed to come inside to make sure he wasn't in the househ, >> you told them to come in and that you confessed. >> Yes. >> You said he's in the basement. >> Yes. >> How many other people you talk to? >> Oh, yeah. What? As far as what do you mean? >> Um, they told me I'll be talking to a lot of people. >> I think primarily for for right now, you're going to be talking with me. >> Um, but there might be one or two other people. Okay. >> Okay. >> In the end, Azeri pleaded guilty to seconddegree murder and was sentenced [music] to 35 to 60 years in prison. Next, we have a case where a panicked 911 call about a missing 5-year-old girl would lead Ohio investigators to a devastating truth hidden inside the restaurant her parents owned. I don't know. [music] I don't know what happened to Ashley. >> I asked her. I said, "What? Where's your sister at?" And you know what she told me? Mommy and daddy told me to tell you what happened. In your restaurant, honey, that's where she's at. Found [music] her. >> On April 1st, 2016, Leang Jao called 911 to report his 5-year-old daughter, Ashley, missing from their restaurant, claiming she vanished while napping in the back area while he and his wife were working. Detectives sat down with Ashley's mother, Mingming Chen. She told them she had last seen Ashley sleeping in the restaurant's sleeping nook. Her account was calm. >> Yes. [clears throat] Uh I need some help. >> Hey, what's going on? >> I I can't find my daughter. >> What's your daughter's name? >> Ashley. >> Say hello to she >> five. Just turned five. >> Okay, sir. What's your name? >> Leang. Leang now. >> Okay. And you're at Ang? Yeah. >> When's the last time you seen her? >> Uh this afternoon, probably. >> Around what time? Uh three maybe four. [music] Yeah. I I mean she was there sleeping. I mean you know >> where was she sleeping at? In the restaurant. >> Yeah. Yeah. She she was sleeping there and I picked up my older daughter from school. We all saw her sleeping there. So and you know we went to work and you know we let her sleep. We and we got busy and then uh uh after it got busy then we started cleaning up and and then you know we opened the door but and she's not here. >> There's only two of us just myself and my wife. There's nobody in the house in the restaurant. >> Okay. So we were trying to figure out yesterday the timeline of what happened and where were we? >> Okay. So she told us yesterday that her her husband had just picked up Jojo from school >> and brought come back to the restaurant. >> So if you can explain her to tell her tell us what happened after that. My husband, he got Jojo [music] and Jojo, you know, very nice to me, you know, very close to me. And every single time when she came back to her shop and then we will hug and I'll go back door to, you know, you know, hug [music] her and then you actually there at the back door of the restaurant. No, at the steeping up. We call her steeping up. She eat >> she's on the bed. >> She's the bed at the restaurant. I never shot. [music] >> Okay. >> And that was when Jojo came home from school. >> Yeah. >> When pressed on what she thought had happened, Mingming offered vague possibilities. Maybe Ashley had wandered outside. Then detectives revealed something that changed everything. Earlier that night, they had spoken privately with Ashley's older sister, Jojo. When asked about her sister, Jojo told them her parents had said not to tell anyone what happened. >> What do you think happened to Ashley? >> I don't know. I don't know what happened to Ashley because [music] we didn't see her coat jacket and you know the shoes there. [music] I I don't want to say anything about that because I don't know. I think may maybe she go outside by herself. I I don't know. But I think when someone just came in [music] the bed or open the back door, I was saw I I didn't You remember when I came to the restaurant? I come in last night. Remember when you guys called us? I was there cuz I brought you and in and uh Jojo back talked to her. Remember that when I brought you guys back here that that gentleman talked to her for a little bit? >> Yeah. Remember when I talked to her alone in the restaurant? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Remember that when I when I said, "Can I talk to her alone for a few minutes and [music] you guys let me up front?" >> Do you know what I asked Jojo? >> I asked her. I said, "Where's [music] your sister at?" >> And do you know what she told me? >> Mommy and daddy don't want me to tell you what happened. >> No one. >> Detectives confronted Mingming directly. They had found Ashley's body inside the restaurant freezer. Mingming sat there and denied everything. Insisted she didn't know what had happened to her own daughter. Detectives pressed the mother to explain how a 5-year-old ended up dead in a freezer. >> We found Ashley. >> Where? >> In the restaurant. >> In the restaurant. Yes. >> So, we're trying to play Mimi. She's in your restaurant, honey. That's where she's after found her. >> And Ming Ming, you know what happened yesterday. You do. >> Why I know it was? >> Because you're her mother. Because you were with her. >> Because Jojo was with her. You know what happened yesterday. Okay. So, we can keep playing this game. But you know what happened and we need to figure out what happened. I only can say I saw her sleep the other dad. And then we can find her last night. Do you think your husband did something to her? >> No. Do you think he had anything to do with it? How about Jojo? Do you think Jojo had something to do with it? Are you sure? Of course not. Why? >> Because they're just kids. >> What happened to your daughter? >> Which one? Ashley. >> Ashley, >> you're you're not even crying. >> I can't. Why? Because I can't. I don't have any waters anymore. >> Okay. What happened to her? How did she end up in your restaurant? Ming. You You do get it. You do get it because she's your daughter's Mingming. She's She wasn't on the couch. She wasn't on the bed. She's in your restaurant. >> So, investigators turned to Leang. He confessed that Mingming had become enraged after Ashley had a bathroom accident. Her [music] head struck the carpet and instead of calling for help, they panicked and made a calculated decision. Fearing they would lose their family, their restaurant, and their home, they brought Ashley's body back to the restaurant. >> What happened yesterday morning? >> Okay. Yesterday morning, um, we got up, we prepped Jojo for school. I took Jojo to school. I came back. When I came back, uh, my wife was very angry at Ashley because she peed on her diaper and she pooped on her diaper. I know this doesn't sound like a big deal, but she's 5 years old and she's on behind train and like angry and uh her head on the carpet and eventually she was breathing. She was still breathing then and you watch did you see your wife? >> Okay. >> So, right then she wasn't breathing. >> No, no, she was breathing. She was breathing and I don't you know uh like okay so she's still she's okay anything >> no long she lay on the floor [music] >> after after the carpet. >> Yes. um to any minute to make that town. Uh that was much longer than that. We actually uh took her to the bathroom uh because she was vomiting. We took her to the bathroom vomiting. She vomited and then let her sit there for a while. Then I noticed that she start you know she was breathing the right way again. So when I uh when I thought she was breathing regularly and said this >> uh checked her and then I realized that she was couldn't stop. Her heart started out and that's why I started getting depression for a while but then we started um panicking. We didn't know what to do. Uh first thing by my pledge I'm going to Jojo and my staffing is going to fall apart. anytime did >> you or your wife tell each other to call 911? >> Yeah, [clears throat] we talked about it. And I know what she says that, you know, we're both afraid. We're both afraid of what's going to happen if we call in fact our daughter. we're going to lose our family. Uh the restaurant, the house that we're getting everything, everything in our lives that you know that we worked so hard for for 6 years going to be gone. >> Instead of calling 911, Leang says he and Mingming came up with a plan and it involved Jojo. >> After a while, we decided both of us. I don't know how exactly capable was but you know uh she went into the restaurant so Jojo can see her you know at the she was normally in uh she sleeps in there so um Jojo would see that she's sleeping there and can verify it and you know she's sick so and even if she ask the six-year-old polygraph but the six-year-old wouldn't lie like that and so we we didn't watch for her life. So, watch out for she actually there >> behind closed doors. Leang and Mingming had discussed burning her remains, burying them, discarding them at sea. They couldn't [music] decide, so they did nothing until the 911 call forced their hand. Detectives pushed Mingming once more. She refused, said she didn't know what they wanted her to say. >> We brought her inside and we just laid her there and uh we just continue our work. The plan was for Jo to see her there to verify that she's there [music] and then I would hide her up if I cut the walk in her and then when we call the police at night, Jojo could verify that she was there. So, >> how long did you leave Ashley layman with that? Uh, I got the restaurant at till about 7 6 or 7 my dad 6 or 7 she was she was lying there should have saw her and she's sick. You can't help but [clears throat] that's no wonder really sleep is >> you guys actually cooked and served meals while your daughter was laying there. >> Yes. >> And well business as usual. Yes. >> What were your plans to do after after maybe we quit looking for what what were you going to do? >> Uh we [music] don't really know. Uh those three things I burn burn it bury it uh or throw it in the ocean. Those are the only three things that we can think of. But if you put it in the ocean, the guys that if you bury it, wild animals can get at it. If you burn it, there's a chance there's not going to steal it because it's got to be a big flame to burn it because you don't need to burn it at night. So we get ready to get big flame at night. So we we thought about all of this and we went off really short on what to do after that. You know I we don't have to sit here and and yell back and forth to each other. >> I need to talk to my husband. Please >> I'll see what I can do about talk to your husband. Okay. Well, why don't we get all this stuff done first? Why don't I I already know you know what happened. M I want you to tell me. >> Now what do you want me to say? >> I don't I'm not going to tell you what you want me to say. I'm telling you I want to know what happened to your daughter. >> I don't know if you want me to say something. Okay, I'll say something. >> We're not going to do that. I want you to tell me what happened. >> I just want my main >> I want you to tell me what happened to Ashley. >> I don't know. How can I tell you? Lang then revealed that what Mingming had been doing to Ashley wasn't a single moment of rage. Mingming had been hurting Ashley for some time. Frustration over potty training was the trigger. After Leang was arrested and refused to speak with his wife, Mingming finally broke. She confessed to detectives that she was responsible for Ashley's death. >> She has problems with Ashley because we got her when she was born. We didn't raise her. My mom raised her. >> Okay. for 40 years and then uh we got her back in four. So, she's fine. >> Why didn't you raise Ashley yourself? >> Oh, uh I was running a restaurant. Couldn't really take care of everything. So, I naturally couldn't trust my mom, you know, to raise my daughter. >> When did the abuse start with your wife and Ashley? >> About a little bit after a month after she arrived. In the beginning, it wasn't that bad. It was it was like discipline, you know, trying to correct her, you know, like got up high, used the toilet, you know, stuff like that, minor stuff. And and the thing with Ashley was that uh she still doesn't know to potty in the bathroom. So that really gets my wife going because we have her for a year now and she [music] still can't she still potty train. >> Well, would she twist her arm? Would she her would she her what what happened? >> Pretty much all of it, you know, twist her arm uh kick her head before like that and she comes out of it. How many How many times would you say she's done that to her? >> Four maybe. >> Tell her she needs to knock it off. >> I I tried that. She needs to stop. >> I try and she knows if she knows she needs to stop and I try but at the beginning it seems like the more I try the It depends on the situation. Like if she's at that situ that time where she's feeling that anger and I tell her to stop, she gets even more angry. I talked to your husband and the only thing that he said I told him what he told me to tell you. He said he didn't want to talk to you. >> He don't want to talk to me. >> He he said he just wants you to be truthful with us and he was crying. >> Can I talk to him a little bit? >> I tried that and he didn't want to he didn't want to do it. >> Okay. >> All right. Well, I think we're done. >> No, not that. [music] Actually, here me. >> Can you just ask me some questions? I I can't tell you the whole story. I can't. >> Maybe >> because I don't know how >> what happened. Ashley, how did you? >> Yeah. >> Did you hear? >> Yeah. >> Okay. How did you how' you >> How? >> Yeah. >> You have a hand to do that. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Is that what happened? >> Yeah. >> How many times? >> I don't know. >> What happened after she got >> And what you're telling me is the truth. >> Yeah. In the end, Leanga pleaded guilty to charges including obstructing justice and mistreatment of remains, while Mingming Chen pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, evidence tampering, mistreatment of remains. Next, [music] we have a case where a 12-year-old girl named Jacqueline had been dead inside her own home for nearly a year while her mother-in-law worked to keep the secret buried. >> Hi, how are you? >> Good. >> Is everything okay? >> Yeah. >> We got a call. There's a lot of noise coming from your apartment. >> They're always calm. >> Okay. >> Everything's good though. >> Everyone's all right? >> Yes. >> Is anyone else home with you? >> Just the babies and my um boyfriend. >> Okay. Is your boyfriend here? >> Yeah. >> Can I speak with him? >> Yeah. >> Babe, babe. >> They just want to make sure everything's okay. >> When they arrived, Carla was at home with her babies and her boyfriend, Jonathan Nanita. Officers spoke calmly with them about her pregnancy and mood [music] swings, then left, wishing them a merry Christmas. But little did they know, behind that door, a horrifying secret was hiding. >> You okay? >> Yeah, I'm just pregnant. Just moods, you know. >> All right, that's it. >> Hello. >> He's fine. >> Oh, okay. Mind if I come in some heat out? >> Huh? >> You mind if I come in some heat? Hey, how's it going? >> Good. We just got to call and stuff like that. Everyone's okay? >> Yeah. Um, my wife's pregnant, so she just be having mood swings and >> Okay, >> I'll be trying to calm her down. >> Okay, things happen. >> I'm at the end, so >> Okay, >> it's difficult. >> All right. Well, I haven't met you guys real quick. I'm just going to write your names down, say I spoke with you, and get out of here. Okay. >> Okay. >> How long you guys been staying here? >> Um, here's good. >> Yeah. >> Sometimes the walls are, you know, you live in apartments, walls are sometimes. >> They've been compared since we first moved here. So, >> this is not the first move in. Okay, >> we're actually moving. >> Oh, for real? >> Yeah, cuz of that. Well, we came from the brand. It's better over there because we don't have no complaints at all. >> Yeah, it's a little bit different area. People are a little less likely to want to call for some noise and stuff like that. >> Carla's 12-year-old daughter, Jquwell Mimi Torres Garcia, was already gone when police arrived at her apartment. A visit that seemed routine, but would soon uncover a terrifying secret. Behind closed doors, something unimaginable was hidden. Newly unsealed arrest warrants revealed Jaquelin was restrained, left without care, and confined for months. The stench forced the adults to leave for hotels, and eventually she was moved into a storage bin lined with trash bags, sheets, and white powder. A desperate attempt to hide the truth. Neighbors reported screams, crashes, and one even heard Carla yell, "Stop." But no one knew what was really happening inside. Jquelyn had vanished months earlier on August 26th, 2024 when Carla said she would be homeschooled. Months passed without anyone noticing until March 2025 when an anonymous tip led police to a storage tote behind an abandoned home. The shocking discovery turned a missing child case into a full-scale investigation. Carla, Jonathan Nita, and Jacqueline's aunt, Jacqueline Garcia, were arrested, exposing a web of lies and hidden actions. Faced with mounting evidence, Carla's stories fell apart. She admitted restraining Jquelyn on Nita's orders and withholding food for 2 weeks, Nanita moved her to the basement, forcing them to leave for hotels. Later, he admitted disposing of the tote, but claimed he hadn't harmed her. Jacqueline revealed the harsh reality. Jquellyn had been restrained, left in a corner for hours and made to endure conditions no child should face. A chilling glimpse into what had been hidden from the world. All three are now behind bars. Carla and Nanita face multiple charges. Nanita also faces illegal disposal of the toad. Jacqueline faces unlawful restraint and endangerment. In the end, Jquellyn's story is a stark reminder. Sometimes the worst dangers hide behind ordinary doors. Neighbors warnings go unheard and secrets can fester for months, but the truth has finally come to light and justice is underway. Next, we have a case where a single anonymous tip led police to an apartment closet. [music] And what they found inside would leave even the most seasoned investigators speechless. >> Bro, what? It is. It is. >> Yeah. But that's the arm. That's the leg. If you look in there, you can see the clothes around the body. >> When we went to the scene, there was towels blocking the the door. On June 25th, 2023, officers in Georgia received a call from an anonymous tipster reporting that a child's body might be inside a closet in an apartment. When officers arrived, they found what appeared to be an abandoned unit. >> It's a body of a little girl and building 2815, apartment 27. Can y'all please hurry up? >> Okay. What's the address there? Apartment 27. Look like she been there for like at least 6, seven months. Where my dog? >> Hey, 911. What is the address of the emergency? >> Ma'am, I called like 2 hours ago. I discovered a little girl body stuffed in the closet that had been there. Look like it been out for like six, seven months and it still got clothes on. >> What's the phone number you calling from? [music] I ain't got no number. I'm going remain anonymous. >> Yes, I'm going to get some more information from you. Please. >> When officers first received the call, the details were vague but deeply unsettling. It sounded as one officer later described it like something straight out of a horror movie. A child was reportedly inside the home and something wasn't right. >> What's going on? >> What's up, huh? >> Somebody call say a closet. >> Y'all been to check. No, >> one of your co-workers came early and said the guy, you know, they didn't believe it. You know, it was a dark skin baldhead guy. He came out here, rolled around. He said that the guy been calling saying it was a body there. He said, but sound like he crazy or something. So, he like I'mma play it by. He said, you know, I said, "Okay." He I said, "Don't go there by yourself." So, I waited and then finally some residents, I guess they live in the building. I just seem like I saw him in the window just then. The guy got out the car and said, "Hey, man. You need to go down there. Apartment 27, building 2815. I said, "What the problem?" He said, "That little girl." So, we've been trying to contact 911 for 2 days. I said, "Two days?" >> Hey, no, they a they lying. >> I said, you know, so but they told me not to go in by myself. So, go check it out. >> Yeah. >> This our first time out here cuz I checked it myself earlier. >> Oh, you heard about something like this? >> Yeah. This this like the fourth car we got. >> Ain't a nothing in there. >> No, but I check again just to be sure. cuz they said in the closet. No, we we ain't look that good, but I mean it could be apartment something or >> he says in the closet little girl. So, >> apartment 27. >> It said the car said somebody was out here in the blue Honda or something like that. >> Yeah, that that the color the car that pulled up on me. >> It was a blue, you know. I thought they was >> like I said when he told me that, you know. Huh. >> Right. >> Then what's in this building? >> Yeah. They said they 2018 15. >> 2815. Yeah. >> 27 285. unit. >> Yeah, 27's on that side. >> As they arrived at the house, the atmosphere was tense. Another officer on scene indicated that there was believed to be a child inside. That child was identified as Olivia, a young girl with special needs. As officers entered the residence, they were met by a gruesome scene that would leave even the responding officers shaken to their core. But the location be secure, >> bro. >> What? >> It is. >> It is. >> Yeah. [groaning] >> Oh. M 31 2815 apartment 27 316 Can you 59 radio 330 32. >> I'm clear. Can EMS enter? Can you advise? You all right? >> She in there. >> At this point, officers confirmed that it was indeed little Olivia. She had been hidden among the clutter inside the apartment. >> I don't I don't see it. >> I don't see it. Is that more than that? That's in that black bag. >> No, she on top. She just It's so decayed you can't tell. Oh, that's >> hair girl. But that's the arm. That's the leg. But if you looked in there, you can see the clothes are on the body. >> As the investigation continued, officers gathered evidence inside the apartment. A crucial question soon emerged. How long had the child been there? And perhaps even more importantly, who was responsible? And where were the parents who'd been supposed to protect the 7 years old girl? >> Yep. in the closet to the left. What's up? Arm, leg, you see the shirt arm, then the head. >> Is this a child? >> What it look like? >> Was it any of y'all that came out here like an hour ago? >> Did anybody speak to whoever called? >> No, they they were called for a disconnected cell phone and they didn't want to meet. >> I know we got called out here an hour ago for the same thing, but And there's nobody anywhere else in here. >> Did they tell you it was temporar before you came in here? >> Who? Security. >> No. So I met with them cuz the comments on the new call made it sound like the person who made the call was out in the parking lot. But they said they just pulled up on them, told them what they said and then ground. So >> I thought, no, I thought maybe they had put eyes on the on her already. So I was like, "Come show me." They like, "No, we haven't been in there yet. We just waiting on y'all." So I was like, "This person Adam." I was like, "Let me just double check." As the investigation continued, one detail stood out to officers. There was no noticeable odor inside the house. That unexpected detail raised even more suspicion. It pointed to the disturbing possibility that whoever was responsible had taken deliberate steps to prevent anything from drawing attention. Moments later, a devastating discovery revealed the tragic condition in which Olivia had been left. >> Dude, it's a little girl, bro. Like, so when we first originally got here, >> Yeah. >> I cleared that room. >> Mhm. >> You didn't tell I went to I went to the closet. >> I looked in the closet. We didn't smell anything. >> I went inside. >> We didn't Yeah, we went inside. We didn't smell anything. Nothing like that. >> We open up. It's just she was wrapped up in something so we didn't see. >> You good? You need anything? >> No, I'm good. >> All right, guys. I need something over here. All right. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Erase that image off my head. So you can erase that image off my head. >> We cleared that room the first time and Taylor went in there. >> Yeah. And >> check the closet. >> I went in the closet. Looked in the closet. I didn't see anything. >> Did she didn't stand out? I imag I think it was probably because maybe she was wrapped up. Huh? >> Was she wrapped up? Like is there a little >> She's sort of like laying on the on the appear to be like blankets and stuff like that in the closet. >> Did you see all that stuff in there earlier? >> I don't So there's like blankets and stuff like that in the closet and um and she's like laying on it. Um >> Well, I know I saw her arm. >> Yeah. Yeah. So that's Yeah, that's >> Maybe it was because probably it's so decayed that >> I can see how you missed it or what, but >> I did see it. It didn't look like AR. >> Be clear. So cuz I know they're going to ask. >> Yeah, >> I know. They didn't ask about it. I just want to make sure I give them an answer. I guess it didn't look like an arm coming, but I guess now when I actually see the full thing that can do this to a baby, bro. >> For months, officers continued searching, but the lack of leads made the investigation increasingly difficult. For 4 months, they worked to identify those responsible for the child. That was until a witness pointed them to the main suspect, Olivia's mother, 29-year-old Alandre Hobbs. After the first major breakthrough in their monthslong investigation, detectives wasted no time bringing Alandre in for questioning. One more question, please. All right. When we went to the scene, there was towels blocking the the door. you will >> um I know I know I shut the door, but as far as towels, I never did um put anything in front of the door because I know I didn't want her to get air, but I never did place anything like towels or anything. >> You want her to get air or something? >> Because the uh room door was shut, right? >> No. Someone might have opened up before we got there. He said somebody had to open it. >> So, how did you leave? This this because >> when I left out the door, I left I left her in her stroller with the food or whatever. I shut the door. Not the closet door. The room door. >> The bedroom door. >> Yes. And I took off. I locked the door and I took off. But first, where's that key at now? You don't. >> At this point, Alre sat across from detectives in a small interview room. Her posture rigid as investigators carefully laid out what they knew. Their tone was measured, not aggressive, but deliberate as they began pressing her on the inconsistencies in her story. Suspicion deepened when she claimed she hadn't returned to the apartment because she didn't have her keys, appearing evasive and pretending not to know basic details. >> Like I said, my brother, >> when you left your daughter, was there anybody else with you besides? >> My kid. My kid, but I the dude that um took me to my brother house, but like I said, my brother stole my key. He know where I stayed. So, I don't know. I don't know. When you left, the dude that took you to the brother's house, he was there when you left your daughter. >> He didn't know nothing about it. I didn't tell him. >> He came in the apartment. >> Mm-m. >> Okay. So, he came and got you. >> Mhm. >> Um he called you and said, "I'm here with the horn." >> Yes. He called me and said I was He was outside. >> Does he know anything about Olivia? >> I never any guy that I dealt with, I never met my child around besides. >> So, what was his name? You might have told her, but um >> um I don't want to pay. >> As the investigation continued, what became even more puzzling was how everything had truly happened. The suspect admitted she had left her daughter alone to go on a date. But as investigators pressed further, she began contradicting herself. >> I say it again February. >> But them towels, no. Them towels, what y'all talking about? What y'all telling me? No. But I did close the door. I wouldn't fit no towels because I knew I had the um thermostat running. Cool. >> So, I knew she needed some air. I wouldn't fit no towels. >> 65. >> 65. Is that what you guys normally have now? >> Uh-huh. Well, I do because I deal with uh hot flashes. I have fibroids, hernia, and stuff like that. >> How many bags did you take with you when you left >> for you? I didn't even hope >> I didn't take anything cuz I didn't plan on spending the night. So everything I had to start off first off I had to buy things besides >> Did you come back? Did you come back after you left at that time? >> Mhm. I didn't. >> Okay. So when you left when you left the living you weren't planning on coming back at all. >> No. Because I didn't have no way. Like I tried to communicate how but I didn't find nobody. >> At this point what made the situation even more unsettling was her claim that she had left her daughter alone connected to medical equipment that helped her breathe. But as time passed and she failed to return, the risk to little Olivia only grew more alarming. Instead of showing urgency, Alandre coldly attempted to shift the blame onto her boyfriend. >> I hate it, and I'm here to tell y'all the truth, but I hate this happening, but Cameron messed me up so bad. The things that he did, like the things that he did to my daughter is the reason why I started reacting and doing things back. You feel me? I was deeply in love with him. So whatever he told me to do, I did it. And it will be certain times where he will Olivia up so bad, not me. He'll have his moments where he'll up so bad to the point if it's church time or we got to step out. We got to lie to his family and say, "Oh, we not coming." >> Because because he want to give it a healing process to heal. It's plenty of times where that happen. Do you have any pictures of the injuries? >> It will be in a phone that was stolen. >> Did you ever send anybody a picture? Is there any proof of what you're saying that we can find for you? >> I mean, if we can get proof, it's going to help you, but you're not telling me anything that I can prove. >> Besides them iPhones, everything is in the iPhones that Alonzo stole and I have a case for that. So, y'all can get into stuff like that, right? >> No, we can't just find a phone out of nowhere. But do you have a iCloud account or Google Photos account? >> Hey Alandrea76@gmail.com. >> So can you pull the photos on this one? >> I can't. That phone >> that phone is not even on. >> Okay. >> So in order to be on like to work it Wi-Fi, you can't do anything. >> Okay. Just be clear. You left the door locked. Left the door to your apartment locked. >> You shut the door and you said you blocked it. And you said you locked the key. >> Yeah. Well, my brother stole my key, my ID, my food sim card, my debit card, both of my iPhone. >> What about the sliding door for that lock? >> They slide the door always stay locked. >> Okay. >> Based on the evidence collected, Cameron, Alandre's [music] boyfriend, was ruled out as a suspect due to a lack of proof linking him to the crime. However, strong evidence of neglect along with the condition in which Olivia was found led investigators to conclude that Alandre had deliberately caused her daughter's death. Ultimately, her actions left her facing consequences with no way out. >> Cameron's mother, Jernigan Hobbs, was also interviewed by police, and she stated that she kept in touch with Alandre uh even after her son left. She stated she was very clear that Alandre would uh beat the kids uh and that they were injured and dirty all the time. She stated that she would take them to her house to feed and bathe them. However, she said the last time that she saw Olivia alive was October 15th of 2022, so approximately 4 months prior to being abandoned by her mother. She advised our office that Olivia and Cameron would strap Olivia in her stroller when they wanted to control her or when she was acting up. She also indicated that Olivia was not able to get herself out of the stroller. Your honor, Olivia um she suffered from cereal pausy um all her life. Court records revealed that the defendant had never pursued medical care for Olivia's cerebral pausy at any point in her life. Prosecutors presented this along with additional evidence to argue that Alandre's actions demonstrated a lack of genuine remorse. At this point, Alandre's defense team attempted to argue in her favor, emphasizing her cooperation with authorities. However, it did little to change the outcome of her case. >> And in a case like this, there are not excuses that I think ultimately would matter. There's not mitigation that makes this okay. There are not any circumstances in someone's life that would be a worthy justification. A person who confesses, a person with remorse, a person who begs for mercy should find some in our system. We are asking that the court sentence her to a life a sentence of life with the possibility of pool a sentence that carries some hope some mercy and some dignity. There's some rehabilitation which does not apply here. There's some that's retribution. Um and there's some that's punitive that sends a message more so to not only the offender but to the community. Um, and I have to balance all of those of what is best for this case. Um, and having said that, what I'm going to do is I'm going to impose a sentence of the a whole sentence, a total sentence for the entire case to life without the possibility of parole. You'll be given credit for the 660 days that you have served, which is credit um, from the time that you were in custody. >> In the end, the court handed down its final decision. Alandre Hobbs was sentenced to life in prison.