The Schenectady Police Department initiated an Amber Alert for Halo Branton on Sunday at approximately 10:00 a.m., indicating that the infant was last spotted at 12th Street at Campbell Avenue around 9:15 p.m. the previous night.
According to Schenectady police officer Ryan Macherone, the child was reported missing from her residence in the Bellevue neighborhood at about 11:00 p.m. on Saturday. Officers promptly arrived at the location and commenced a search operation for the missing child.
In less than 24 hours after the search for Halo was initiated, she was reportedly found on a General Electric campus. Although she was found alive, she tragically succumbed to her conditions at the hospital.
Persia Nelson, 24, has been charged with second-degree manslaughter in connection with the case. Prosecutors also intend to levy an additional charge of depraved indifference murder against her. Nelson was located on the campus when security personnel found her in a heated building. Upon questioning her presence there, she claimed she could not recall how she arrived and that she had lost her child, as per WNYT.
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Schenectady Police Chief Eric Clifford stated, "It took some time, but officers were able to connect an address on Campbell Avenue to the female, and this ultimately led officers to the dead end of 12th Street, where they were able to identify where the female went with her baby in a location where she entered the GE campus."
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Reports suggest that Nelson dropped Halo down an eight-foot-deep pipe access area at the electrical plant. When the authorities discovered the 11-month-old, they noticed water and mud at the base of the tunnel structure where she was found. This is what authorities believe ultimately led to the child's death.
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Halo was immediately rushed to Ellis Hospital for treatment, but she was declared dead at 1:24 p.m. An autopsy indicated that the child had died from exposure and hypothermia, according to investigators.
Reflecting on the tragic incident, Clifford said, "Everybody can relate to a 1-year-old child being helpless. At the time, the adrenaline's rushing, you know, we're motivated to find her, but, you know, after the reality sets in, it's definitely taking a toll on everybody."
Nelson's bail has been set at $500,000 by a judge. The potential duration of Nelson's imprisonment if she is found guilty of the charges remains uncertain.
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