Adoptive Mother, Boyfriend Not Charged With Murder in OKC Child's Death

The Oklahoma County District Attorney's office has filed child abuse, neglect and enabling abuse charges against Alibra Nichols and Donald Miller.

Tuesday, August 10th 2010, 12:25 pm

By: News 9


By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma County District Attorney's office has filed child abuse, neglect and enabling abuse charges against Alibra Nichols and Donald Miller.

Nichols was the adoptive mother of 3-year-old Larandon Nichols and Miller is the woman's boyfriend.

The D.A.'s office did not file murder charges because prosecutors said they could not prove the abuse killed Larandon.

"To prove a murder case, we have to show there was some injury, torture, maiming, etc, to the child which caused his death," said Scott Rowland, First Assistant District Attorney.

The boy was found dead in a northwest Oklahoma City apartment July 11. Police reports noted multiple bruises, open wounds and burns on Larandon's body. He also had a large knot on the back of his head with some sort of fluid coming out.

Nichols and Miller have both admitted to abusing the boy with a belt, hangers, even a baseball bat.

Rowland said charges against Nichols and Miller could still change.

"If we come up with one scintilla of evidence that could prove any injuries caused his death, we will amend to murder one," Rowland said.

Neighbors said they can't believe such a small child endured so much pain.

"That baby was only 3-years-old. What could that baby done to anybody?" said neighbor Barbara Biggs. "He only knew abuse and neglect for love."

Family members said Larandon was never without a smile. They didn't know about the abuse and said Nichols was a good mother.

Friends said they thought the same, but now they want justice to the full extent.

"They abused one of his angels, and if they don't get the right justice on earth, they will in heaven when they meet God," Biggs said.

The M.E.'s office is waiting for additional tests to see if a disease, virus, or infection caused Larandon's death.

One of Larandon's family members said his death is upsetting and frustrating because they still don't have a clear cause of his death.

NEWS 9 requested files from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. An agency spokesperson said DHS does not release files unless murder or manslaughter charges are filed against the child's parent or caretaker.

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