TUCSON, AZ – The tragic case of an 11-year-old boy’s death in Tucson has resulted in prison sentences for his neglectful caregivers. The boy’s mother, Ariel Lea Horn, 34, was sentenced to seven years, while her boyfriend, Charles Jackson McClellan Jr., 30, received a three-and-a-half-year sentence following their admission to the child’s abuse.
The investigation began last November when Tucson police responded to a home on East Limberlost Drive, where paramedics pronounced the boy dead. Authorities quickly uncovered that the child, dependent on care due to numerous medical conditions, had suffered severe neglect.
An autopsy revealed that the young boy, whose identity remains private, had extensive lesions on his body, leading to sepsis. Tucson police traced these medical issues back to the lack of care provided by Horn and McClellan, exacerbated by their drug use. The couple had been known users of fentanyl, a fact that investigators found relevant to their inability to provide proper care.
School officials had previously raised concerns when the boy showed up with visible sores, demanding a doctor’s examination before his return. Despite this warning, Horn and McClellan never followed through, resulting in the child’s prolonged absence from school and necessary medical appointments.
The boy’s prolonged immobility at home allowed the lesions to develop, further causing his condition to worsen.
Arrested in May, the couple initially faced charges of first-degree murder and child abuse. However, they later pled guilty to intentional child abuse, a lesser felony charge. The court acknowledged the roughly 10 months the duo had already spent in jail, which will be deducted from their sentences.
The case of this neglected child also brought attention to the well-being of three other children living in the household. Details surrounding their future and guardianship were not publicly disclosed.
This incident has cast a spotlight on the critical need for vigilant oversight and support systems for children with special needs, particularly those in vulnerable situations where substance abuse is present in the home. Authorities in Tucson continue to emphasize the importance of reporting suspicions of child neglect or abuse to prevent such tragedies.