HOUSTON—
Mona Yvette Nelson, 44, was charged Wednesday night with capital murder for the death of 12-year-old Jonathan Foster.According to investigators, Nelson is a family acquaintance from the North Forest area.
Nelson was being held Thursday in Harris County Jail without bond. She was not present for her probable cause court appearance Thursday morning. Her next court appearance is slated for Monday.
Officials said surveillance video from an office building near the culvert where a burned body was found captured images of Nelson's truck.
The body was spotted by a passerby Tuesday morning in a ditch in northeast Houston near the Hardy Toll Rd. It was charred beyond recognition and dental records had to be used to determine who it was.
Harris County Insititute of Forensic Sciences identified the body late Wednesday as Jonathan's. It was a discovery his loved ones have been fearing and police have been expecting.
Jonathan was last seen alive Christmas Eve. His mother first told investigators he was with a babysitter, but she later admitted he was home alone.
Nelson's criminal record dates back to 1984 with charges for criminal mischief, aggravated robbery, possession of marijuana, theft and terroristic threat. According to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, she was found guilty of aggravated robbery in 1984. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the same charge in 1991, possibly for probation violation, officials said.
Nelson was in TDCJ custody 1991-94 and was paroled through October 2001.
HPD is speaking to the media at 2 p.m. Thursday. Reporter Steve Mark will be live at HPD headquarters on 39 News at 5 p.m.
Continue to follow 39online.com as we gather additional details. For real-time updates, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/39News.
