Chilling final Facebook posts kidnapped baby girl's mum made before arrest

11 March 2024 , 17:06

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The 24-year-old mum was charged with manslaughter

The mum of kidnapped baby Halo Branton shared a series of chilling Facebook posts hours before her arrest for the death of the child.

Persia Nelson, 24, has been accused of one count of second-degree manslaughter after she allegedly “dropped her child down an approximate ten-foot deep pipe access area.” Police launched a massive search for Halo after authorities were told she had been kidnapped, they later called off their hunt reporting the baby had been found and rushed to hospital.

Lieutenant Ryan Macherone of The Schenectady Police Department later confirmed the poor infant had passed away. Now, twisted Facebook posts made hours before Nelon’s arrest, where she claimed to be “drunk asf” and “crazy”, have surfaced online.

READ MORE: Mum of kidnapped baby charged with manslaughter after 'dropping her down a pipe'

Halo Branton was discovered on the campus of General Electric

Taking to the social media platform in the early hours of Sunday morning, Nelson wrote: “I’m drunk asf don’t play with me right now lmfaooo.” Responding to another post, the mum said: “Nah im literally crazy don’t play with it.” She had earlier cruelly joked young Halo’s name was supposed to be “Crotch Goblin.”

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Halo first vanished from Schenectady, New York on the evening of March 9. An Amber Alert was issued for the child as a huge search began. She was later discovered alive in a shed inside a sprawling General Electric plant.

Police initially posted on Facebook to say she was found "safe and in good health" but the post was soon deleted and it was later confirmed the baby had died after being rushed to hospital.

Chilling final Facebook posts kidnapped Halo Branton's mum made before manslaughter arrest

Announcing Halo’s death, an emotional Lieutenant Macherone held back tears as he said: “I'm standing here before you to announce the death of an 11-month-old child. There's nothing good about that."

He added: "It's probably the worst thing that will ever happen (in his career). Most likely.” The allegations against Nelson are based on a police investigation and “video evidence.”

Halo Branton passed away at just 11 months old

Launching their search on Saturday, police said: "The Schenectady Police Department has activated the New York State AMBER Alert and is investigating a child abduction that occurred near Campbell Avenue and 12th Street, in Schenectady at about 9:15 PM on 3/9/2024." At the time of her disappearance, Halo had been wearing white sweatpants with brown & tan flowers, a long-sleeve, light pink shirt with a butterfly design, and had a Minnie Mouse blanket.

Nelson was taken into custody on Sunday morning. She pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter charge in court on Monday morning.

During the 10-minute arraignment, a prosecutor with the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office said Nelson dumped the baby down the pipe access area and “left the child there to essentially die.” Prosecutors said Nelson could face more charges after an autopsy is completed.

Nelson's bail has been set at $500,000 cash and $1 million bond. Her next court date is scheduled for March 14.

Henry Moore