A mother has been charged with murder after the body of her toddler daughter was discovered in Blue Lake, California, following a nearly three-year investigation. Nichole Thorpe, 34, pleaded not guilty during her arraignment in Humboldt County Superior Court on Tuesday.
She was arrested on April 29 in Redkey, Indiana, and extradited to Humboldt County last week, where she remains in custody without bail.
Thorpe faces charges of murder, child abuse, and defrauding aid agencies in connection with the death of her daughter, CarmenEve. The criminal complaint alleges that Thorpe killed the toddler on March 9, 2022.
Additionally, a sentencing enhancement for inflicting “great bodily harm” on a child under the age of five has been filed. A preliminary hearing setting date has been scheduled for September.
According to a press release from the Eureka Police Department, CarmenEve’s body was found in Blue Lake on December 4, 2023, during the second day of a search initiated after family members reported the toddler missing. The investigation began on December 3, 2023, when the Arcata Police Department contacted the Eureka Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit for assistance.
Detectives learned that the child had not been seen by family members for an extended period and was believed to be deceased, with her death allegedly concealed by Thorpe.
Following an extensive investigation, an arrest warrant was issued on April 9, 2024, and U.S. Marshals helped locate and arrest Thorpe in Indiana.
Detective Sergeant Cory Crnich of the EPD explained that no press release was issued about the discovery of the body to protect the integrity of the investigation. He also clarified that Thorpe was a Eureka resident at the time of CarmenEve’s death but was living in Arcata when the missing person investigation began and the body was recovered.
In a separate but related court proceeding, co-defendants Tse-Lin Lincoln and William Warren, both teenagers accused of the March 10 fatal shooting of 17-year-old Dylan Moon, appeared in custody before Judge Steven Steward. Their preliminary hearing setting date was delayed to June 16, with defense attorneys citing missing discovery.
The hearing is expected to take four days, and gang allegations may prolong proceedings. The district attorney has stated that the death penalty will not be pursued against Lincoln and Warren, who are 19 and 18, respectively.
At least three minors have also been arrested in connection with the shooting, which shocked the small community of Hoopa.
Judge John T. Feeney presided over Thorpe’s hearing, with Kathleen Bryson representing the defense and Deputy District Attorney Brandon Boozari representing the people.