Colorado mother sentenced to 84 years in prison after pleading guilty to murder of 5-year-old daughter

Alexus Tanielle Nelson, the mother of one 5 year old child missing a little over a year ago in Colorado, before the the child's remains were found a few days later in his apartmentpleaded guilty to several charges related to this case.

Nelson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, tampering with a deceased person and attempting to influence a public official. She was sentenced to a total of 84 years in prison in exchange for her plea; 48 years for murder, 24 years for injury to a deceased body and 12 years for attempting to influence a public official. The sentence will be served consecutively.

It was late May last year when Aurora police issued an alert regarding the disappearance of 5-year-old Maha Li after the child's maternal grandmother called 911 from out of state to report that her daughter, Nelson, had made disturbing statements to them via text message. . The caller also expressed concerns about her granddaughter's safety.

Officers rushed to Nelson's apartment in the 1000 block of South Elkhart Way. Nelson told police she had given up her daughter for adoption, but could not provide any records. Investigators could not independently verify the adoption through state records. The child's grandmother called 911 again two days later and officers followed up again at that time.

Aurora police said Nelson intentionally made false statements to officers, leading to his initial arrest for attempting to influence a public official. The remains of a child were found in Nelson's apartment the following evening.