Houston, Texas – Over three years after the tragic discovery of 2-year-old Maliyah Bass’ body in a bayou, a significant development has occurred in the case. Her mother’s boyfriend has pleaded guilty in connection to the toddler’s death.
In August 2020, an Amber Alert was issued for Maliyah, with her mother Sahara Ervin and her boyfriend Travion Thompson initially claiming that she had disappeared from a playground while they were at their southwest Houston apartment. However, a day later, Maliyah’s body was found in Brays Bayou by a jogger.
Thompson’s attorney revealed that at the time of the incident, he was on probation for a prior aggravated robbery charge. Prosecutors intended to present evidence at the trial to show that Thompson violated the conditions of his probation, including the autopsy report, crime scene photos, and potentially Ervin’s testimony.
Ultimately, Thompson decided to plead guilty to the charges against him in Maliyah’s death, receiving a 40-year prison sentence. This decision came as Maliyah’s maternal grandmother, Rosalie Jimerson, expressed a sense of justice being served in court.
Ervin, who also pleaded guilty to the charges, is set to be sentenced. According to Lacy Johnson from the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, both Thompson and Ervin were found responsible for inflicting injuries on Maliyah, failing to protect her, and tampering with her body. The medical examiner determined the cause of Maliyah’s death to be “homicidal violence,” citing a broken arm, blunt force trauma, and signs of being beaten with an object like an extension cord or clothes hanger.
It is noted that cases involving vulnerable children often see caregivers deflecting blame onto each other, resulting in uncertainties about what exactly led to the child’s death. The circumstances surrounding Maliyah’s tragic passing underscore the importance of safeguarding children and holding individuals accountable for their actions.