A groundskeeper working at West Gadsden Funeral Home went to move a hearse on August 9th, 2025 and saw something in the back that looked like a doll.
But it wasn’t a doll, it was 21-month-old Blessence Pearl, and her dead body had been abandoned in the vehicle overnight.
Police determined the girl had been strangled with a “thick rope string.”
The incident caused outrage, and the funeral home director was one of the most outspoken. He called the perpetrator “sick in the head.”
He also said, “We’re going to give this baby the proper burial. To have life taken so early, we’re going to stand up and bury this baby.”
The investigation progressed quickly, and 12 hours after the baby was found, authorities arrested her mother, 29-year-old Terica Pearl.
Pearl is being charged with capital murder and is being held in the Etowah County jail without bond.
If convicted, she could be sentenced to death.
DOB:
1996Conviction(s):
- N/A
Date of crime:
August 9th, 2025Location(s):
Gadsden, ALDate of arrest:
August 10th, 2025Details:
She is accused of killing her daughter then dumping her dead body in the back of a hearse.Suspected Victim(s):
- Blessence Pearl (1)
Method:
N/AMotive(s):
UnknownSentence:
Awaiting trialCurrent whereabouts:
Etowah county jailLast Updated on 08/04/2026
