2 held in revenge-killing plot over child
Phoenix police say they have arrested a couple accused of conspiring to murder a man and a woman as revenge for the suspicious death of a 15-month-old boy in February.
Jessica Griffin, 23, and her boyfriend, Jerry Horne, 25, were arrested Wednesday after an undercover investigation led police to their plans, according to records filed in Moon Valley Justice Court.
Griffin was an aunt to 15-month-old Kaleb Sexton and had been his primary caretaker.
Phoenix police launched an investigation on Feb. 24 into Kaleb’s death. Although the cause of death has yet to be determined, signs of multiple injuries were noted.
Phoenix police spokesman Sgt. Trent Crump said Thursday that Kaleb’s death is under investigation.
Records show Kaleb died while in the care of Horne.
Police consider both Griffin and Horne as leads in the baby’s death.
Police also consider another man and woman, whom Griffin and Horne are accused of conspiring to kill, to be leads in the death investigation because they were in the room with Kaleb on the day he died, according to court records.
On March 11, Griffin started contacting an undercover detective, whom she knew previously. She was unaware he was a police officer. She told the detective “her baby” had been killed at a Phoenix hotel and she was very upset, records said.
Authorities said Griffin asked the detective and one of his colleagues if they could find her a gun so she could kill the man and woman because she believed they were responsible for Kaleb’s death. Griffin later asked the detectives if they could do it for her, according to court records.
During their recorded con- versations, Griffin also stated that Kaleb had been beaten to death and strangled with one of his toys, and she wanted the man involved with the case killed in the same manner.
At about 7 p.m. Tuesday, the two detectives drove Griffin and Horne to a hotel. During the ride, they discussed Griffin’s request to have the man and woman killed in the same way Kaleb died, investigators said.
Griffin and Horne promised the detectives they would give them four stolen vehicles in exchange for the murders, according to records.
Horne added that he could help the detectives find the man and woman because he was friends with them on Facebook, according to records.
Both Griffin and Horne were arrested the following day and accused of two counts of conspiracy to commit firstdegree murder. They were booked into Fourth Avenue Jail and are being held on a $250,000 bond, according to records.
Boy in stroller hit, killed in Walmart parking lot
PHOENIX — A 3-year-old boy in a stroller was struck by a car and killed in a Walmart parking lot on Thursday afternoon.
The boy’s baby-sitter was pushing his stroller across a private access road near 75th Avenue and McDowell Road when a 22-year-old driver ran into them at about 1 p.m., police say.
The baby-sitter lived in the area and the pair were returning home at the time. The boy’s father was also in the parking lot — he was picking up food before going to get his son.
Witness reports indicate the driver and baby-sitter didn’t see each other. Police said the driver wasn’t speeding and initial tests indicate he wasn’t under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The child’s name was not released Thursday.
Police: Woman posed as teen in child-sex case
GLENDALE — A 23-year-old Glendale woman is accused of posing as a15-year-old girl and engaging in sexual conduct with minors.
Anna Areola-Hernandez was booked Thursday into Fourth Avenue Jail on suspicion of three counts each of sexual conduct with a minor, child molestation, unlawful age misrepresentation and an adult posing as a minor for sexual conduct, authorities said.
Police say the incidents involved a boy younger than 15.
Areola-Hernandez had been contacting minors using social media and texting apps including Facebook, Kik, Snapchat and Tango, records show.
She often posed as a 15year-old and used the screen names “Tiny Hernandez” or “Ana Hernandez,” records show.
Investigators believe there may be additional victims.
Police urge anyone with information to contact the Glendale Police Department at 623930-3000 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.
Parents beat boy for eating chips, police say