DECATUR, GA – A Georgia woman received a life sentence without parole on Wednesday after pleading guilty to the killing of her 7-year-old disabled daughter, whose body was left to mummify in an apartment closet for months. Alondra Hobbs, 29, admitted to charges of malice murder, felony murder, and child cruelty.
The sentence came shortly after Hobbs expressed her wish in court to accept responsibility for her actions, foregoing a trial despite her attorney’s efforts to seek parole eligibility. Judge LaTisha Dear Jackson of the DeKalb County Superior Court handed down the life sentence, highlighting the case’s tragic nature.
The grim discovery unfolded in late June 2023 when DeKalb County police, responding to a tip from a disconnected cellphone, found the remains of Alivia Jordan in the Hidden Valley Apartments in Decatur. The mute horror of the scene surprised the Decatur community, with neighbors describing the young girl’s mummified state. Nearby residents noted the ongoing challenges Hobbs faced, suggesting she was burdened by heavy emotional distress.
Authorities contend that the child, who had cerebral palsy and autism, was left strapped in a stroller to die between February and June 2023. Hobbs herself told police that she abandoned Alivia as life had become overwhelming. Her lack of remorse shocked the court, as she remarked that no one ever assisted her, even when it came to her daughter’s funeral.
Despite the horror of her daughter’s fate, Hobbs continued to collect Alivia’s $900 monthly disability payments, according to prosecutors. Hobbs reportedly displayed little emotion when asked about her daughter and suggested her own life hardships were the worst she had endured.
Throughout legal proceedings, Hobbs’ attorney pleaded for leniency, hoping atonement would sway the court’s decision. However, District Attorney Sherry Boston underscored the absence of compassion Alivia received, hoping that justice provides some solace to the family.
The heart-rending case is a bleak reminder of the despair and isolation some parents experience, coupled with the severe consequences of neglect. Hobbs’ decision to turn away from help led her to drastic actions that ended her daughter’s life.
As the community absorbs this tragic story, authorities urge parents to seek help in moments of despair, emphasizing that abandonment is never the solution. The hope remains that from such darkness, lessons will emerge to prevent future tragedies.