Mother and boyfriend arrested for murder after 11-year-old dies

TUCSON, Ariz. – A mother and her boyfriend are facing murder charges after the death of an 11-year-old boy in Tucson last November.

The child suffered from numerous illnesses and was dependent on his guardians. In November 2023, the boy was found unresponsive and later died.

An autopsy revealed that the child had extensive injuries to the body that ultimately led to sepsis. The wounds were the result of medical neglect by his caregivers, Tucson police said. Investigators reportedly found evidence of extensive fentanyl use in the family home.

Police found enough probable cause to arrest the mother and her boyfriend, who were 33-year-old Ariel Horn and 29-year-old Charles McClellan Jr., on the 1st of May.

The suspects face charges of first-degree murder and child abuse. Both are being held on a $1 million bond.

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