A mother in the United States has been sentenced to more than three decades in prison after her teenage son died from extreme neglect, weighing a fraction of what was normal for his age.
A Tragic Death and a Mother's False Claims
Talia Nelson, 45, received a 32-year prison term after entering a no-contest plea to charges of aggravated manslaughter and aggravated child abuse. Her son, 14-year-old Zakye Smith-Nelson, was found unresponsive at their family home in Daytona Beach, Florida, on 1 January 2024. At the time of his death, the teenager weighed a mere 33 pounds, far below the typical 110 to 120 pounds for a boy his age and less than an average seven-year-old.
In a desperate attempt to explain her son's shocking emaciation, Nelson told authorities Zakye suffered from a rare bone disorder, bulimia, and lactose intolerance. However, when pressed by officers, she could not name any doctors who had diagnosed these conditions.
Evidence of Prolonged Suffering and Neglect
An investigation revealed a harrowing picture of long-term abuse. The medical examiner noted facial bruising and scars covering Zakye's torso, back, and legs, injuries consistent with being struck by a long, flexible object. Riddled with bedsores, the boy was largely immobile and could not have caused the marks himself.
Police searching the home discovered one bedroom filled with soiled, urine-smelling clothes and no furniture. Unopened laptops intended for homeschooling were found in the master bedroom. Medical records showed Zakye had not seen a doctor since he was 10 years old, at which time he was described as "well-nourished" and in no distress.
"Scooting on His Butt" and a Final Admission
Nelson claimed she had tried to help Zakye gain weight with protein shakes but said he would make himself vomit afterwards. She admitted to police that she had "dropped the ball" by not seeking medical care for her son, who had been unable to walk independently for weeks. Nelson stated Zakye would "scoot on his butt" to move around the house, yet she denied neglecting him.
The subsequent autopsy confirmed Zakye was severely malnourished and was losing bone density. State Attorney R. J. Larizza described Nelson as "cruel" and "heartless," stating the case brought him to tears. "It is incomprehensible for a mother to neglect and torture her own flesh and blood to the extent we uncovered in this case," Larizza said.
The 32-year sentence brings a form of justice for Zakye, whose short life was marked by unimaginable suffering at the hands of the person meant to protect him.
