Prosecutors in Michigan have charged a mother and son in connection with the death of a 17-year-old girl who had been missing since April.
According to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, Jalen Pendergras, 23, faces charges of second-degree murder and tampering with evidence in the death of his girlfriend, London Thomas. His mother, Charla Pendergras, 49, is charged with the same offenses for her alleged role in the killing.
Court records show that a bench warrant for their arrests was issued on Wednesday, Oct. 15 — the same day prosecutors filed a formal complaint against them.
Thomas was last seen on April 5 when her sister dropped her off at the Pendergras home in Inkster, Michigan, a city about 15 miles west of Detroit.
Three weeks later, investigators discovered her body inside a plastic bin after receiving a tip that also led to the suspects’ arrests.
Authorities say the tip came from an individual who reported that Charla had contacted him on April 7, asking if he could help move a plastic bin into a vehicle in Southfield, located roughly 15 miles north of Inkster. The caller provided police with the street name where the vehicle had been parked. Soon after, Michigan State Police located the remains, which were identified as Thomas.
The medical examiner determined her cause of death to be asphyxia, ruling it a homicide.
While Jalen and Charla were initially questioned and briefly detained in April, no charges were filed until now.
“I am proud of the excellent work that has been done in this case,” said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. “It has taken countless hours of investigation and diligent work by the Michigan State Police, the Detroit Police Department, and the FBI. As a result, we have been able to bring the perpetrators of this cruel and deadly crime to justice.”
Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive in the killing.
The mother and son are expected to make their first court appearance on Friday, Oct. 17, when they are scheduled to enter pleas to both charges.
