SYRACUSE, NY – A chilling case unfolding in upstate New York involves a mother accused of taking the life of her five-year-old daughter and hiding her body, with suspicious internet searches drawing additional scrutiny from detectives.
Latasha Mott, a 30-year-old resident of Syracuse, stands charged with murder and corpse concealment following the tragic January death of her daughter, Nefertiti Harris. Authorities allege that Mott fatally beat the child with a belt in the shower on January 6, 2024. The child’s remains were reportedly concealed in a nearby field.
Mott’s boyfriend, Corrice Parks, 28, faces charges for allegedly aiding in the concealment of the child’s body. The court documents do not reveal the full extent of his involvement but suggest a collaborative effort to hide the crime.
The case took a disturbing turn when it was revealed that two months passed before Nefertiti’s disappearance raised alarms among family members. Her body was ultimately discovered on March 26, 2024, sparking intense public interest and heartbreak.
During a recent hearing in Onondaga County Court, detectives testified about eyebrow-raising searches found on Mott’s phone, including queries such as “Why do killers hide kids’ bodies?” and “Do bodies smell in the winter?” These searches were flagged during the investigation into Nefertiti’s disappearance and were seen as potentially incriminating.
Defense attorneys for Mott contest the admissibility of these search results, arguing that they may have been obtained while Mott was improperly being regarded as a suspect rather than a distressed mother searching for answers. The defense’s stance highlights the legal complexities of securing evidence in such sensitive cases.
The detective involved in the case expressed that, at the time of the searches, there remained a hopeful belief that Nefertiti would be found alive, demonstrating the tension and uncertainty that often accompany missing child cases.
Mott’s next scheduled court appearance is set for April 5. This session is expected to further probe the statements made by Parks to the authorities, potentially unveiling more details about his involvement.
As the legal proceedings advance, the case continues to cast a shadow over the Syracuse community, a stark reminder of the tragic intersection of violence and innocence.