A Memphis woman has been arrested after authorities discovered the body of her young daughter in a hotel room, malnourished and in a “mummified” state.
The girl’s body was found on Friday at the Home Inn and Suites in Memphis after her mother, Kimberly Moore, 46, made disturbing claims to hotel staff and responding deputies.
According to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Moore had been making strange statements about her husband owning the hotel and that she needed to “ensure employees were doing their job.”
Deputies initially didn’t think much of her behavior until they noticed a strong odor coming from her room. When they entered the room, they found Moore’s daughter unresponsive, cold to the touch, and in a state that authorities described as “malnourished and mummified.”
Cause of Death and Age of Victim Not Released
At this time, the exact cause of death and the girl’s age have not been disclosed. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office stated that the child had been in the room for “quite some time,” but did not specify when the death occurred.
Moore’s behavior led authorities to believe she was experiencing a mental health crisis, and she reportedly continued to insist that her daughter was “still with her” and that she “reads her Bible”.
Arrest and Charges
Moore has been charged with abuse of a corpse and failure to report a dead body. She was taken to a healthcare facility for treatment and later transported to the Shelby County Jail, where she is being held on a $5,000 bond. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Monday.
Local officials have expressed shock over the tragic discovery, and detectives continue to investigate Moore’s behavior and the circumstances surrounding the child’s death. The case has raised concerns about mental health and the treatment of vulnerable individuals and children.
