Grandfather Arrested in Connection with death of 18-Month-Old Shooting Victim

BUNNELL — Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly announced on Monday that the grandfather of 18-month-old shooting victim, Ja’liyah Allen, has been arrested in connection with the child’s tragic death. C.J. Nelson Sr., 46, is accused of tampering with evidence at the crime scene following the shooting that occurred on September 3, 2023, at a residence on Ranwood Lane in Palm Coast.

During a press conference, Sheriff Staly revealed that Nelson Sr. arrived at the house shortly after the shooting and engaged in actions to manipulate the crime scene. The accused is the father of C.J. Nelson Jr., who allegedly handled the gun that fired the fatal shot, ending Ja’liyah’s life.

Previous coverage: Uncle charged in Palm Coast toddler’s shooting death

The tragic incident unfolded when Ja’liyah Allen’s mother was playing with her in a hallway while another individual mishandled a firearm in a nearby room. The gun discharged, and the bullet struck the innocent child in the head. Nelson Jr., who is the child’s uncle, was one of the occupants of the residence located at 2 Ranwood Lane.

At the time of Nelson Jr.’s arrest in November, Sheriff Staly stated that the investigation was ongoing, and there were suspicions of tampering with the crime scene. These suspicions were confirmed during the course of the investigation, leading to the arrest of C.J. Nelson Sr.

According to Sheriff Staly, “C.J. Nelson (Sr.) was observed taking the firearm used in the shooting from C.J. Nelson Jr., using a T-shirt to prevent and wipe off fingerprints from being found on the weapon, and placing it in a bedroom where deputies found it.”

Furthermore, the sheriff revealed that C.J. Nelson Sr. instructed witnesses to provide an alibi for himself and his son by claiming they were both outside smoking at the time of the incident. Detectives diligently gathered evidence, resulting in an arrest warrant being issued for Nelson Sr. on January 5, 2024. He is now facing two counts of tampering with evidence and two counts of providing false information to law enforcement during an investigation.

death of 18-month-old Ja’liyah Allen in Palm Coast, Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.”/>

Each of the charges against C.J. Nelson Sr. carries a maximum prison sentence of five years. Sheriff Staly did not mince his words, stating, “You may be wondering how C.J. Nelson Sr. knew how to stage a crime scene and what to do. Well, frankly, he is a dirt bag, and he probably learned it in prison. He has multiple arrests, a total of 18 charges since 2003 — nine misdemeanors and nine felonies.”

Following his arrest, Nelson Sr. posted a $15,000 bond and was released from the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. However, the Sheriff’s Office is currently in contact with the State Attorney’s Office to explore the possibility of a higher bond or bond revocation due to concerns over potential threats to witnesses and law enforcement officers posed by C.J. Nelson Sr.

death of 18-month-old Ja’liyah Allen in Palm Coast, Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.”/>

Expressing satisfaction with the arrest, Sheriff Staly stated, “I’m glad and commend our detectives for arresting him. I hope he and his son enjoy prison.”

Details of the Case

On September 2, 2023, C.J. Nelson Jr. was recklessly handling a firearm, showcasing it to others inside a bedroom at the residence on Ranwood Lane, as reported by the Flagler Sheriff’s Office. Tragically, the gun discharged, resulting in Ja’liyah Allen sustaining a fatal gunshot wound to the head.

The 911 center received a distress call at 11:45 p.m., reporting the shooting incident. Deputies swiftly arrived at the scene, where they encountered individuals in the front yard, one of whom was holding the injured child. Despite the prompt administration of first-aid by Flagler County Fire Rescue and Palm Coast Fire Department personnel, Ja’liyah tragically succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.

Upon investigation, deputies discovered blood trails throughout the house and located the firearm, a multi-caliber style pistol, in a closet along with narcotics. In November, Sheriff Staly disclosed that Nelson Jr. had a significant amount of THC, a compound found in marijuana, in his system at the time of the incident, implying drug use.

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Detective Kathryn Gordon, the lead investigator in the case, revealed that it appeared Nelson Jr. was attempting to resolve a jamming issue with the weapon when it accidentally discharged.