In a harrowing incident that unfolded in November of 2023, Tucson Police Department officers were called to a residence on E. Limberlost Dr. where they discovered an 11-year-old child unresponsive. Tragically, the child was pronounced deceased upon arrival, sparking a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking event.
Upon initial examination by the Tucson Fire Department, it was revealed that the child, who suffered from multiple medical conditions, was entirely reliant on care from his caregivers. Residing in the home were the child’s mother, her boyfriend, and three other siblings. Detectives from TPD’s Child Physical Abuse Unit were promptly briefed and initiated an in-depth inquiry into the incident.
As the investigation progressed, troubling details emerged. An autopsy report disclosed that the child had extensive lesions on his lower body, leading to sepsis, a life-threatening condition. These injuries were attributed to a lack of proper medical attention and neglect from the mother and her boyfriend. Furthermore, investigators uncovered rampant fentanyl use within the household, deepening the gravity of the situation.
The culmination of evidence provided detectives with probable cause to arrest the suspects responsible for the child’s care. On May 1, 2024, officers from Operations Division West/Community Response Team (ODW/CRT) successfully apprehended 29-year-old Charles Jackson McClellan Jr. and 33-year-old Ariel Lea Horn. Both individuals face charges of Child Abuse and 1st Degree Murder, reflecting the severity of their alleged actions.
Following their arrest, McClellan Jr. and Horn were transported and booked into Pima County Jail, where they await legal proceedings under a $1,000,000 bond each. This tragic case serves as a sobering reminder of the critical importance of proper care and responsibility in safeguarding the well-being of vulnerable individuals within our communities.
