- October 9, 2024
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The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office announced on Jan. 8 another arrest in the September shooting death of an 18-month-old girl.
CJ Nelson Sr. — the father of CJ Nelson Jr., who was indicted in November with manslaughter in the case — has been charged with two counts each of tampering with evidence and providing false information to law enforcement. Nelson Sr. was arrested on Jan. 5 while placing money in his son's account at the county jail, but posted $15,000 bond later that day.
Sheriff Rick Staly said in a press conference on Jan. 8 that Nelson Sr. arrived on scene almost immediately after the shooting and began instructing his son and other family members on what to do. He told family members to tell deputies that Nelson Jr. and Sr. had been outback smoking and instructed his son to take a shower and wipe away fingerprints from the gun with a T-shirt.
“He provided instructions on how to stage the scene,” Staly said.
Ja’liyah Allen, the 18-month-old victim, was shot and killed in September. In November, the FCSO announced a grand jury indicted CJ Nelson Jr., Allen’s uncle, with manslaughter in the 18-month-old’s death.
Nelson was high on THC while attempting to unjam an American Tactical multi-caliber pistol when the gun discharged and the bullet went through a wall into the hallway, hitting Allen, Staly said in the November press conference.
FCSO Det. Kathryn Gordon, the lead detective on the case, said in November that family of Nelson Jr. and the child had tried to destroy evidence. In the Jan. 8 press conference, Staly said deputies arrived on scene to find both father and son alone in the home and “became apparent the scene had been tampered with.”
When asked if any other family members were under investigation, Gordon declined to comment.
During the investigation, Staly said, deputies acquired jail phone recordings where Nelson Sr. made “veiled threats” against members of the media, Gordon and Staly. Staly said his team is continuing the investigation and working with a State Attorney's Office to have higher bond or a bond revocation placed.
“We believe, and I personally believe, that CJ Nelson Sr. is a threat to witnesses and to members of the Sheriff's Office,” Staly said.
Nelson Sr. has a criminal record, a total of 18 charges since 2003, on a variety of misdemeanor and felony charges. Judge Terrance Perkins has granted a special condition of no-contact between nelson Sr. and Jr.
"This case is a prime of example that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree," Staly said. "I hope he and his son enjoy prison."
