Woman arrested after dead baby girl found inside hearse at funeral home, police say

GADSDEN, Ala. (WBRC/Gray News) - A woman was arrested after a dead baby girl was found inside a hearse at a funeral home in Alabama, according to authorities.

The Gadsden Police arrested Terica Pearl, the baby’s mother, and charged her with murder. Authorities identified the little girl as 1-year-old Blessence Pearl.

Gadsden Police said the baby was found Saturday at the West Gadsden Funeral Home.

Dantez Robinson, the funeral home owner, says employees were returning from a separate call when someone thought they saw a doll in the hearse. However, when they opened the door, they realized it was a human baby that wasn’t in a casket.

“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 being held in the Etowah County Jail without bond.