A baby was found dead in a hearse. A woman has now been charged with murder.
The child was found inside a hearse the morning of Saturday, Aug. 9, at West Gadsden Funeral Home in Gadsden, about 60 miles northeast of Birmingham, police said in a press release.
The department's patrol division secured the scene, and forensics specialists and detectives arrived to process evidence, police said.
The Gadsden Police Department confirmed to USA TODAY on Aug. 11 that 29-year-old Terica Pearl was arrested in connection with the child's death. The department declined to comment further. She has been charged with murder and is being held without bond, according to Etowah County Sheriff's Office jail records. It was not immediately clear on Aug. 11 if Pearl had retained a lawyer.
Pearl is the 1-year-old child's mother, according to WVTM 13 Birmingham and ABC 33/40. The baby girl is named Blessence Pearl, according to the outlets. Investigators will conduct an autopsy to figure out how the child died, according to WVTM.
The funeral home said in a statement to USA TODAY that an employee found the child inside the hearse around 11:45 a.m. local time on Aug. 9.
The funeral home released another statement to other outlets and asked for prayers, per ABC 33/40. The funeral home confirmed Pearl worked there.
'An infant baby girl was left in one of our (hearses) this morning by no fault of the Funeral Home by one of our employees and the police was immediately called and an investigation is being done with our complete cooperation,' the company said. 'We ask that you stop with the negativity without knowing the facts. No weapons formed against us shall prosper.'
More news: Timeline reveals how long police say Emilie Kiser's son was in pool before death
'Truly unimaginable'
Dantez Robinson, managing funeral director at the funeral home, organized a vigil to honor the child and support her family, WVTM said.
'My heart fell to my feet,' he told WVTM 13 Birmingham. 'I have young ones. I have two kids at the age of four and seven. To get the phone call, my heart was shattered – shattered into a million pieces.'
Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford said in a statement that the baby's death is 'truly unimaginable.'
'We stand firmly behind our police department as they work hard to get the truth and ensure that justice is served,' Ford said in a statement shared to the police department's social media. 'I strongly encourage anyone who may have information to contact our detectives. You could make all the difference.'
Police ask that those with information contact (256) 549-4500.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.
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