In a deeply unsettling incident that has shaken the community of Gadsden, Alabama, the body of 1-year-old Blessence Pearl was discovered inside a hearse at West Gadsden Funeral Home on the morning of Saturday, August 9. What began as a routine day for funeral home staff quickly turned into a scene of horror when they returned from an overnight pickup and noticed what appeared to be a doll in one of their hearses. Upon closer inspection, they realized it was a real child—lifeless and alone.
The discovery was made around 11:45 a.m. by a groundskeeper preparing for the day’s work. The hearse had reportedly been locked and parked overnight. The child was not in a casket, and there were no arrangements scheduled involving her. The staff immediately contacted authorities, prompting a swift and intense investigation by the Gadsden Police Department.
Within 12 hours, the case took a dramatic turn. Terica Pearl, the 29-year-old mother of Blessence, was arrested at 1:48 a.m. on Sunday, August 10. She now faces a murder charge and is being held without bond at the Etowah County Jail. The speed of the arrest was praised by local officials, with Mayor Craig Ford commending the police department’s determination: “An arrest doesn’t take away the hurt, but it does mean we’re one step closer to justice for this child.”
Lieutenant Dusty Ford of the Gadsden PD echoed the sentiment, stating, “The memory of this child will remain with us, and we will continue to stand for justice in every case, no matter how difficult.”
This is not the first time tragedy has struck Terica Pearl’s life. In February 2011, when she was just 15 years old, her 4-week-old daughter, Ja’Nyiah Areon Pearl, died in a house fire in Attalla, Alabama. The fire reportedly began in the room where the infant was sleeping. Though the circumstances of that incident were never publicly linked to foul play, the haunting parallel between the two deaths has left many in the community stunned and searching for answers.
As the investigation into Blessence’s death continues, an autopsy is expected to determine the official cause. Meanwhile, the community has begun to mourn the loss of a child whose life ended in a way no one could have imagined. A vigil was held outside the funeral home, where candles flickered in the night and prayers were whispered for a baby girl whose story has become a symbol of heartbreak and a call for justice.
The case now moves through the judicial system, but the emotional toll remains heavy. For the staff at West Gadsden Funeral Home, for the officers who responded, and for a community grappling with grief, the memory of Blessence Pearl will not be forgotten.