A Nebraska mother has been arrested for allegedly smothering her 9-month-old daughter with a blanket while the infant was “crying bloody murder” — a horrific death that occurred nearly four years to the day after her former partner killed their other baby.
Alyssa Parkins, 27, of Alliance, Nebraska, now faces intentional child abuse resulting in death, strangulation resulting in death, and two additional counts of child abuse, according to the Box Butte County Sheriff’s Office.
What Happened
On June 22, 2026, deputies were called to Box Butte General Hospital after a 9-month-old infant was brought in unresponsive and later died.
Investigators say Parkins used a blanket to cover the child’s head and held it down while the baby was crying hysterically. When she arrived at the hospital, Parkins allegedly told staff the infant had choked on a cracker and that she found her unresponsive later — without ever calling 911.
Another child in the home, identified as Parkins’ son, told police that she regularly disciplined her children through spanking.
Disturbing Conditions at Home
A search warrant executed at Parkins’ residence revealed deeply troubling conditions. The infant’s feet were described as “almost black with dirt.” Her scalp had “scaly, dead skin” throughout. Inside the home, investigators found no running water, little food, and a bathroom filled with dogs and feces.
A Haunting Pattern
What makes this case chilling is its eerie parallel: nearly four years earlier, on June 19, 2022, Parkins’ former partner Riley Lenhart killed her 10-month-old daughter by ligature strangulation while Parkins was at work. Lenhart was convicted and sentenced to 60 years to life in prison. His appeal was denied by the Nebraska Supreme Court in October 2024.
Now, Parkins herself faces charges that could carry a mandatory minimum of 20 years — and up to life in prison.
The investigation remains ongoing.
