Mother accused of using ‘robe string’ to strangle 1-year-old found dead in hearse

GADSDEN, Ala. (WBRC) - A woman has been arrested after a dead baby girl was found inside a hearse at the West Gadsden Funeral Home Saturday, Aug. 9, authorities confirm.

The baby found dead was strangled with a “thick robe string,” according to court records.

The funeral home owner, Dantez Robinson, says employees were returning from a separate call when someone thought they saw a doll in the hearse, but when they opened the door they realized 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. He was getting ready to do some grounds work, and we get back to found an infant baby inside one of the hearses.”

Authorities identified the baby as 1-year-old Blessence Pearl.

The Gadsden Police arrested Terica Pearl, the mother of Blessence, and brought her to the James Hayes Etowah County Detention Center around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 10.

“In under 12 hours, the investigation moved from uncertainty to an arrest,” wrote Lieutenant Dusty Ford with the Gadsden Police Department.

“This was a tough case for everybody involved,” said Mayor Craig Ford. “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.”

Pearl is charged with capital murder-under 14 years old. She is being held at the Etowah County Jail without bond.

A preliminary Aniyah’s Law hearing was set for Terica on Monday.

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