'Inconsolable' family recall last time they saw murdered baby on night she died
The heartbroken family of 10-month-old Halo Branton have described the last night they saw her before she disappeared and died.
A desperate search was launched for Halo when she was initially reported kidnapped from Schenectady in New York State, US, on Saturday night. Her mum, Persia Nelson, 24, has been charged with second-degree murder committed with depraved indifference after the baby was discovered in a drain pipe and later died.
The family of Nelson's boyfriend have now provided more details on what happened that night. Halo had been with her mum at the family home of her boyfriend, Dante Gregory, on Campbell Avenue in Schenectady.
READ MORE: Halo Branton death: Mum of kidnapped baby charged with manslaughter after 'dropping her down a pipe'
Little Halo Branton was sadly found dead (Facebook)
She went missing on Saturday night (nyspolice/Twitter)According to Dante's family, Nelson left after having a conversation with her boyfriend, which they stressed was not an argument. Dante's brother Issac Gregory told CBS 6: "I seen her walk into the bathroom, and that was the last time I seen Persia that night."
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
His mother Allegra said she saw Nelson leave the bathroom and take off, adding they went looking for the baby after noticing she was missing. She said: "I seen her come out the bathroom, she walks around me and walks out the door with the baby."
Dante Gregory's mother and brother described the last time they saw the baby at their home on Saturday night (WRGB)When asked whether Nelson left with the baby due to "a fight" with her boyfriend, Isaac replied: "Honestly, it wasn't even a fight. It was a conversation. I wouldn't even call it a debate."
Schenectady Police said Nelson took little Halo about a mile away and went down a steep embankment towards the General Electric campus. She was later found without her baby.
Isaac said: "The moment [Dante] heard the baby was missing, he was inconsolable. Him, my mother, myself, we were out looking for the baby."
More than 12 hours later, police said they found Halo in a drain pipe. She was later pronounced dead after being rushed to hospital.
Dante Gregory's brother said the couple had a conversation but it was not an argument (WRGB)Isaac's family claimed the District Attorney's Office was pressuring them to give evidence before a grand jury, but said they need time to grieve the baby's death. "The DA was here earlier to pressure us to testify to a grand jury. I personally don't believe my brother can handle that right now. He may be suicidal. He loved that baby," he said.
Nelson is facing a murder charge after she allegedly "dropped the victim (her child) down an approximate ten-foot deep pipe access area," according to court filings. According to the records, the area where the baby was dropped was filled with mud and water which caused the poor child's death.
An Amber Alert for the missing 10-month-old was abruptly cancelled with news later emerging that Halo had been found and rushed to the hospital. Sadly Lieutenant Ryan Macherone of the local police later confirmed she had passed away.
When he announced the girl's death, Macherone appeared about to cry. He said: "I'm standing here before you to announce the death of an 10-month-old child. There's nothing good about that." The baby's mum was arraigned in Schenectady City Court on Monday morning and remanded on $500,000 (£391,000) cash bail or $1million (£780,000) bond.
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