Mom charged after body of daughter with Down syndrome found in closet

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. (TCN) — A mother has been taken into custody and charged with evidence tampering and abuse of a vulnerable adult after the remains of her daughter were found in a closet in her home. 

WDAM reports that on March 17, a man called the police to request a welfare check because he had not seen his sister, Mykyra Clemons, since January. She was reportedly unable to care for herself. 

WREG reports Rosie Atkins said her nephew called the police after allegedly seeing a body inside a bag in the home. 

After receiving conflicting information about the whereabouts of the missing woman, officers obtained and executed a search warrant the following day and found the remains of Clemons, who had Down syndrome, in a closet. WHBQ reports the body appeared to have been there for months.

The woman’s mother, 40-year-old Cynthia Clemons, was taken into custody and charged. Pending autopsy results, more charges could be forthcoming, according to WDAM.

When asked about Mykyra Clemons’ whereabouts, her mother would allegedly say she was staying with a woman who also had a daughter with Down syndrome, WREG reports.

Cynthia Clemons is set to appear in court March 25, WREG reports.

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