Woman accused of ‘extreme’ neglect that led to 12-year-old daughter’s death

GADSDEN, Ala. (WBRC/Gray News) — Police in Alabama have arrested a woman in connection with the death of a 12-year-old girl.

Leslie Denise Wilson, 35, is charged with felony murder in the death of her daughter, who had cerebral palsy, according to prosecutors.

According to the complaint, between May 1 and June 17, Wilson subjected the child to “ongoing and extreme medical and/or physical neglect causing serious physical injury.”

The complaint said the child died as a result.

Gadsden police said officers initially responded to what was reported as a natural death. Because of the child’s age and the circumstances surrounding the death, the Gadsden Police Department’s Juvenile Unit and the Alabama Department of Human Resources began an investigation.

An Aniah’s Law hearing was held Tuesday for Wilson.

Detective Alec Burgess with the Gadsden Police Department’s Major Crimes Division testified at the hearing and described what he saw when he was called to the home on reports of a natural death.

Burgess recalled finding a 12-year-old girl in a bedroom with marks on her body and live maggots inside her diaper. He described the girl as malnourished and dehydrated, and said she had pneumonia.

According to Burgess, the 12-year-old weighed 32 pounds and depended on a feeding tube. He said her younger siblings had been caring for her and that there was limited food inside the home.

An autopsy ruled the child’s death a homicide, and investigators developed evidence of abuse and neglect, according to police. At the hearing, Burgess said the autopsy showed the girl died from sepsis.

“Seeing a child, because I have children of my own, it’s heartbreaking. Prayers are with the family and the parents, and the family that is going through this hard time. Not only with that family, we want to pray for our police department. It’s tough to see our law enforcement going through the same thing because it hurts them also,” said Etowah County Assistant Coroner Dantez Robinson.

Police did not share the child’s name due to the nature of the case and her age.

Etowah County Judge Joe Nabors denied bond for Wilson.

Gadsden police said the case remains an active investigation.