A mother who showed no compassion towards her ailing son, resulting in his tragic death, has now received a 32-year prison term after admitting to aggravated manslaughter and aggravated child abuse charges.

The victim, Zakye Smith-Nelson, was only 14 years old when he passed away on January 1, 2024, at his family residence, weighing a mere 33 pounds, significantly below the expected weight for his age group. Medical reports revealed that the teenager was severely malnourished, with injuries consistent with physical abuse.

Despite claiming that her son suffered from various health issues such as a rare bone disorder, bulimia, and lactose intolerance, the mother, Talia Nelson, could not provide any medical evidence to support these claims. Furthermore, the condition of the house where Zakye was found was deplorable, with one room filled with soiled clothes emitting a strong odor of urine.

When emergency responders arrived at the scene following a report of an unconscious child, Nelson informed them that Zakye had collapsed while she was cooking dinner for him. She later confessed to giving him protein shakes to help him gain weight but failed to seek medical help when his health deteriorated.

An autopsy revealed the extent of Zakye’s malnourishment, with his bone density decreasing rapidly before his death. State Attorney R. J. Larizza condemned Nelson’s actions as cruel and heartless, expressing disbelief at a mother’s neglect towards her own child.

The tragic case has left a lasting impact on the community, prompting reflection on the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals from such heinous acts of neglect and abuse.