By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
(LEFT-RIGHT)29-year-old Terica Pearl and 1-year-old Blessence Pearl
GADSDEN, AL — In a case that has shocked the community and drawn national attention, Gadsden Police have arrested 29-year-old Terica Pearl on suspicion of capital murder after the body of her 1-year-old daughter, Blessence Pearl, was discovered inside a hearse parked outside West Gadsden Funeral Home.
Disturbing Discovery
The grim discovery occurred around 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, August 9, when funeral home staff, preparing to attend to routine work, initially mistook a doll for a baby inside the hearse. It was only upon closer inspection that they realized the tragic truth: an infant lay lifeless in the vehicle.
Swift Response and Arrest
In less than 12 hours, investigators had moved from uncertainty to an arrest. The Gadsden Police Department, working alongside local and federal partners, acted swiftly to charge Terica Pearl, who remains held at the Etowah County Jail without bond.
Funeral home owner Dantez Robinson—who discovered the infant—expressed profound grief at the ordeal and has organized a vigil in Blessence’s memory.
Community Response
Mayor Craig Ford praised law enforcement’s rapid and thorough work, noting: “An arrest doesn’t take away the hurt, but it does mean we’re one step closer to justice for this child.” Blessence’s grandmother’s friend described the family as “heartbroken,” and the local community has held a vigil in the child’s honor.
Continuing Investigation
While the investigation is ongoing, police continue to gather evidence and urge anyone with information to come forward. The community remains deeply affected by the tragedy, with officials promising to pursue justice through the judicial process.