A Nevada mother has pleaded not guilty to murder and child abuse charges in the death of her 14-month-old daughter, who prosecutors say was starved to death. Alivia Bree Thrift, 26, entered the plea on Thursday in a Las Vegas courtroom.
Prosecutors allege that Thrift deliberately deprived her daughter, Evangelina Thrift, of food over an extended period, leading to the child's death on March 24. According to Chief Deputy District Attorney Brianna Lamanna, the toddler weighed just nine pounds at the time of her death, a weight typically seen in newborns to three-month-old babies. Evangelina's bones were reportedly visible, her face appeared "caved in," and her heart and other organs showed signs of prolonged starvation, the district attorney's office stated.
The Clark County coroner officially ruled Evangelina's death a homicide caused by starvation. Thrift, who resides in Henderson, was indicted last week on one count of murder and one count of child abuse, neglect, or endangerment resulting in substantial bodily harm.
During the court proceedings, Thrift stated that she understood the charges but questioned their applicability. She has waived her right to a speedy trial and remains jailed without bail.
Initial investigations considered the possibility of negligent care or a lack of understanding of the child's medical conditions on Thrift's part. However, the focus shifted after the district attorney's office received the autopsy report. A doctor testified before the grand jury, detailing what was described as "a clear case of ongoing starvation" that had continued until the child's body began to break down.
Family members had reportedly urged Thrift to seek medical treatment for Evangelina, but she allegedly refused to take the toddler to a doctor. The indictment suggests the killing occurred between January 2025 and March 2026.
Thrift initially faced a child abuse charge before the grand jury returned the more severe indictment. Prosecutors requested that Thrift be held without bail, and Chief District Judge Tierra Jones issued a no-bail warrant. A jury trial is scheduled for March 2027.
