TUCSON, Ariz. — A mother and her boyfriend are facing murder charges after an 11-year-old boy died last November in Tucson.
The child suffered from numerous medical conditions and was dependent on his guardians. In November 2023, the boy was found unresponsive and later passed away.
An autopsy revealed the child had extensive lesions on his body that ultimately led to sepsis. The wounds were attributed to medical neglect from his caregivers, Tucson police said. Investigators reportedly found evidence of extensive fentanyl use occurring in the family's home.
Police developed enough probable cause to arrest the mother and boyfriend, identified as 33-year-old Ariel Horn and 29-year-old Charles McClellan Jr., on May 1.
The suspects are facing charges of first-degree murder and child abuse. They are both being held on a $1 million bond.
>> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
UP TO SPEED
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.
Watch 12News+ for free
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12News+ app!
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX."
Amazon Fire TV: Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account, or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.
