Mom charged with murder in alleged ‘extreme’ neglect death of 32-pound 12-year-old girl with cerebral palsy
10/02/2026 10:30 am PDT
GADSDEN, Ala. (TCN) -- A 35-year-old woman has been charged with felony murder in connection with the death of her 12-year-old daughter, who had cerebral palsy.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by WBRC, a 12-year-old girl with cerebral palsy was reported dead on June 17. It was initially reported as a natural death, but an investigation conducted by police and Alabama Department of Human Resources began based on the circumstances surrounding the death.
On Sept. 28, an Aniah’s Law hearing was held for Leslie Denise Wilson, the mother of the victim. At the hearing, Detective Alec Burgess testified about what he found at the home on the day the child was discovered. On the stand, Burgess said he found the victim with live maggots in her diapers, WBRC reports. She appeared malnourished and had had pneumonia.
Burgess testified that the victim was 32 pounds, had a feeding tube, and was reportedly being cared for by younger siblings, according to WBRC. An autopsy showed she died from sepsis and her manner of death was classified as a homicide.
According to the criminal complaint obtained by WBRC, Wilson allegedly subjected the victim to “ongoing and extreme medical and/or physical neglect causing serious physical injury” between May 1 and June 17.
Wilson was arrested and booked into jail on Sept. 28 on a charge of felony murder, according to sheriff’s office records. According to WBMA-LD, she is being held without bond and is scheduled to appear in court again on Oct. 28.
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