Halo Nelson, an 11‑month‑old, was found half‑submerged in a utility tunnel on the General Electric campus in Schenectady on March 11, 2024, and later died. Her mother, Persia Nelson, was convicted in October on charges including murder and manslaughter and was sentenced on Feb. 2 to 25 years to life. Prosecutors say Halo was dropped about eight feet into standing water in the tunnel; the case began with an AMBER Alert and drew extensive local coverage. At sentencing, the judge described Halo's final moments while Persia expressed remorse and apologized to family.
Mother Sentenced to 25 Years to Life After Infant Dropped Into Eight‑Foot Utility Tunnel on GE Campus
Halo Nelson; Persia NelsonNew York State Police;WTEN/Youtube
An 11‑month‑old girl, Halo Nelson, was found half‑submerged at the bottom of a pipe‑like utility tunnel on the General Electric research campus in Schenectady, N.Y., on March 11, 2024. She was taken to a hospital and later died. The case initially prompted an AMBER Alert and drew widespread local attention.
State investigators say Halo was dropped into the confined tunnel from a height of about eight feet, where standing water collected at the bottom. Schenectady County District Attorney Robert M. Carney described the scene when authorities discovered the infant in the utility structure.
Halo's mother, Persia Nelson, was located on the same campus and arrested shortly after the discovery. In October she was convicted of charges that included murder, manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child.
Sentence and Court Remarks
On Monday, Feb. 2, a Schenectady County judge sentenced Persia Nelson to 25 years to life in prison for her daughter's death. During the hearing, Judge Matthew Sypniewski recounted Halo's final moments and the court's view of the circumstances.
Halo NelsonNew York State Police
'Unfortunately for Halo, the reality is that she suffered. She spent her final moments in a dark hole … when her mother was right there above her, right there, hearing her suffer, hearing her cry — cries for help that she never answered,' Judge Sypniewski said at sentencing.
Persia Nelson appeared distraught and tearful at the hearing. According to reports, she apologized to family members, including her son and Halo's father, acknowledged responsibility for her actions, and said she will carry the weight of what happened for the rest of her life.
Family Remembers Halo
In a moving obituary posted after her death, Halo was remembered for the joy she brought in her short life. The family wrote that Halo's 'eyes and smile would light up every room she ever entered and would melt anybody's heart.'
Law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation included the New York State Police and local Schenectady authorities. The case remains a tragic example of child abuse and drew significant local media coverage.
If you suspect child abuse: Call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1‑800‑4‑A‑Child (1‑800‑422‑4453) or visit www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll‑free, confidential and available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
Help us improve.
